Brent Burns Headbutts Former Teammate as Tensions Rise in Playoff Matchup

It is the best time of the year for hockey fans as we get to enjoy the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The first round is extra exciting as we get to enjoy a plethora of games every night until our eight winners are decided.

This year features a new matchup in the Eastern Conference as the Carolina Hurricanes, who have been an established contender for many years, take on the up-and-coming Devils, who are looking to prove they can contend too.

The game is particularly important for the Devils as they are down 0-1 in the series.

After a solid first period though things unraveled for the team as Carolina scored twice to take the lead before the end of the middle frame.

In the dying seconds of the second period tensions rose dramatically as two former teammates got into a tussle.

They were Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns and Devils forward Timo Meier who played together for many years with the San Jose Sharks.

The two men likely won't receive Christmas cards from each other this year though after this incident.

In a scrum by one of the blue lines, Burns headbutted Meier in the head.

Shockingly, there was no call on the ice. This is particularly egregious as even attempting a headbutt typically results in a double minor.

Burns clearly connected with Meier's helmet though, which should have brought it to a major penalty offense.

It is surprising that the referees decided not to call anything as major penalties are now reviewable, but perhaps they forgot the rule for this particular penalty since it is such a rare occurrence.

That being said, the Department of Player Safety may very well take a look at this play as Burns theoretically should have been ejected from the game.

This wouldn't be the first time in recent days that a player from one of these teams got suspended as Devils forward Paul Cotter missed the final two games of the regular season with a suspension.

Hopefully the referees get a handle on this game before it, and potentially the whole series, gets out of control.