New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey is certainly making an impact in these playoffs. In the first round, he scored a game-winning goal in overtime. And in the second round, he knocked one of the Tampa Bay Lightning's best players out of Game 3.
Jonathan Drouin injured after massive hit from Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey
Drouin immediately left the game.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Whether you think that last part was legal probably depends on which team you root for.
Midway through the second period, Lightning winger Jonathan Drouin tried to beat Hickey into the zone. He kept his head down and Hickey promptly leveled him with a hit.
Drouin was slow to get up, and the Lightning went after Hickey soon afterwards.
Hickey hit on Drouin pic.twitter.com/rcpueayhxO
— Stephanie (@myregularface) May 4, 2016
Drouin wobbled off the ice after that hit, sat briefly on the bench then wobbled some more to the visiting locker room.
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) May 4, 2016
Hickey was not penalized for the hit, but the Lightning's ire over it led to matching roughing minors to Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic and Bolts defenseman Slater Koekkoek, and a high-sticking call to Lightning forward Ondrej Palat.
Losing Drouin would seriously hurt the Lightning, who have found a resurgence on their power play since the winger’s return to the lineup.
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