In the waning minutes of the second period, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Max Pacioretty lined up New Jersey Devils star center Jack Hughes.
Pacioretty (6′2″, 217 pounds) delivered a freight train of a hit to Hughes (5′11″, 175 pounds) that resulted in both players on the ice.
As Hughes got back to his skates, Devils’ defenseman Dougie Hamilton moved near the Maple Leafs forward, dropped his stick, and grabbed Pacioretty by the back of his jersey.
His defensive partner, Brenden Dillon, also skated over, but nothing came from the hit, which the officials deemed clean on the ice.
After the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe was asked about the hit.
“Not even a factor in the game,” he said. “I forgot it even happened.”
That hit on Hughes was one of 22 hits the Maple Leafs had Tuesday night. It was a legal hockey hit, and with a 1-0 score in the final minute of the period, it was unlikely that any Devil would risk taking a penalty, especially seeing Hughes come out of it unscathed.
The Devils eventually fell 2-1 in overtime at Prudential Center Tuesday night. Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews scored the game winning goal on a breakaway.
Make sure you bookmark THN’s New Jersey Devils site for THN’s latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
Related: Devils Dish: Tomas Tatar Reveals Which Teammates Are Most Likely
EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog
Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: ‘He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied‘
Seamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal In Devils Global Series Finale
Related: Devils Dish: Paul Cotter Reveals Which Teammates Are Most Likely
