Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nikita Zadorov was assessed a match penalty after hitting Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings in the head Saturday.
Zadorov will receive a hearing with the NHL's department of player safety on Saturday night.
The incident occurred 4:11 into the second period with the game tied 1-1. As Raymond was carrying the puck through the neutral zone, Zadorov made contact with the Red Wings forward right after he had passed the puck.
According to rule 21.1 of the NHL rulebook, a match penalty "shall be imposed on any player who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner."
Raymond, who had scored the opening goal, later returned to the game.
Things escalated in the final three minutes of the period as Ian Cole of the Canucks and Alex DeBrincat of the Red Wings dropped the gloves while Raymond and teammate Dylan Larkin plus Nils Hoglander of the Canucks all received roughing penalties.
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