Didn’t look like a hit to the head, but it was a blind side hit, of the type they are trying to get out of the game.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 02/06/13 at 09:54 AM ET

I don’t even think it was blindside by the definition. He comes at him from the front in the direction he’s skating.

Posted by phillyd from Southern New Jersey on 02/06/13 at 10:21 AM ET

Absolutely nothing wrong with that hit.

Posted by WingsFanInBeanLand from Where free agents no longer want to go. on 02/06/13 at 10:27 AM ET

Shoulder to shoulder hit, and CHI player must have been a soccer player at some point before.

Posted by detroitredwings on 02/06/13 at 11:22 AM ET

The NHL has rescinded the match penalty.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 02/06/13 at 11:27 AM ET

Mayer was skating in a certain direction, which was the direction the hit came from. He should watch where he’s going.

In no world was this a blindside hit, unless you believe that players are now responsible for where other players are looking. Or aren’t looking, in this case.

Posted by awould on 02/06/13 at 11:52 AM ET

The only think wrong with that hit was Keith’s awful pass.

At least he tried to make up for it…

Posted by nwm on 02/06/13 at 11:58 AM ET

Yep, my bad, you guys are right. I forgot that part of the language about blind side hits had to do with if the player getting hit turns or turns his head late in the play, and clearly Mayers turns his head back too late to expect Desjardins to let up.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 02/06/13 at 12:35 PM ET

That’s a dipshit pass by Duncan Keith.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 02/06/13 at 12:40 PM ET

Looks like a clean shoulder-to-shoulder hit, but he did launch himself. Without a doubt he left his feet. And especially into an unsuspecting player. He could have floored him with half the effort.

Isn’t that what checking is all about? Taking a guy out of the play and gaining possession and/or position? Not taking a guy out of the game “Saints-style”.

Keith pass…..... fugly on all accounts.

Posted by TKShreve on 02/06/13 at 12:52 PM ET

Keith is an overrated goon of a hockey player…elbows-first, of course.

Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 02/06/13 at 01:46 PM ET

after the hit, Mayers head came down hard on the ice. If he was a bit scrambled, that would have likely done it.

Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 02/06/13 at 02:10 PM ET

Hopefully not too far off topic here, but how does the “instigator - face shield” penalty work exactly?  If Keith would have tossed his helmet aside before going after Desjardin, would the extra penalty not have been called?

Posted by GR Joe on 02/06/13 at 02:43 PM ET

GR Joe, from the NHL Rule Book,

46.6 Face Protection - If a player penalized as an instigator of an altercation is wearing a face shield (including a goalkeeper), he shall be assessed an additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Should the player (including a goalkeeper) who instigates the fight be wearing a face shield, but removes it before instigating the altercation, the additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty shall not apply.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 02/06/13 at 02:45 PM ET

That was quick, thanks!

Posted by GR Joe on 02/06/13 at 02:53 PM ET

Textbook sucker pass. Desjardins can’t really hit Mayers any more legally than he did in this situation. He’s making damned sure to get the shoulder.

Posted by larry on 02/06/13 at 04:13 PM ET