The NHL has to make an example out of Brendan Gallagher for his hit on Adam Pelech Thursday night.
The NHL has to make an example out of Brendan Gallagher for his hit on Adam Pelech Thursday night.
MONTREAL -- There's no place in hockey for what Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher did to New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech Thursday night at Bell Centre.
With 8:10 to play in the third period -- what became a 4-3 loss -- Pelech passed the puck up in transition before he received a Gallagher elbow right to the head, forcing him down to the ice for a good while.
Pelech eventually got up but didn't look right before being escorted off the ice and down the tunnel, failing to return.
Gallagher went to the penalty box before receiving a five-minute major and a game misconduct:
Pelech has missed 23 games this season due to a wrist injury after a lower-body injury.
But the concern lies with the hit to the head, as Pelech missed 21 games last season after current teammate and former St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo crushed him behind the Islanders bench, sending No. 3 into the boards head first:
Most of Pelech's teammates didn't see the hit and didn't have the chance to watch a replay before we spoke with them post-game.
"When you see Pelech down and not return, it's so unfortunate," Noah Dobson said. "Hopefully he's okay. I'm sure the refs got it right. And I'm glad we were able to capitalize on that power play."
Bo Horvat knows how important Pelech is to this team.
"I didn't see it. Obviously, it was pretty bad if they gave him a five," Horvat said. "Hopefully, Pelech is okay. I haven't heard how he's doing or anything like that.
"But we need him in the lineup. So hopefully, he'll be back next week."
Head coach Patrick Roy had a bit more time, and it sounded like he and a few teammates got a chance to see the replay after we left the room and waited for Roy's press conference.
"Like everyone, I think we all saw what happened. I’m sure the league’s gonna review the hit. That’s all I can say for now.”
Pelech's former teammate and current MSG analyst Thomas Hickey didn't mince words during the broadcast.
"This is a disgusting hit. This isn't 1990 or the early 2000s. This needs to be out of the game. Just a terrible, terrible hit."
We will await a ruling from the Department of Player Safety, but that kind of hit is exactly what the league has been trying to get rid of, and Gallagher should get a hefty penalty for his actions.
It's a ridiculous hit to throw -- an embarrassing hit to throw -- and a cheap shot with the intent to injure.
Even Gallagher's ex-teammate and ESPN analyst P.K. Subban called him out for it:
While a harsh punishment is needed, the Islanders now have to figure out a way to counteract Pelech's loss for the third time this season with an already shaky defense if they want to find a way to stay in the playoff race.