Two players who dropped the gloves caught on camera talking after the game
The Maple Leafs didn't dress any of their «tough guys» like Wayne Simmonds or Kyle Clifford for their game against the New York Islanders on Monday night.
During the third period, superstar Auston Matthews was clipped with a dangerous knee-on- knee hit from Islanders' forward Oliver Whalstrom. This was only minutes after Morgan Rielly left the game with a knee injury.
The Maple Leafs needed a response and it was 182 pound, (soaking wet) 5-foot-11 (on his tippy toes) Rasmus Sandin who stepped up. Despite giving up more than 20 pounds and a couple of inches, the Swede rushed in. He took a few punches and didn't manage many in return. But, while he didn't win the scrap, he did show a new side to his game.
Sandin was asked his thoughts on his first NHL fight post game against Wahlstrom:
«We know each other very well. That's off the ice. On the ice we're competitors but it was a little funny that it was him that was my first fight»
Sandin might have taken an L on the fight card but stepping up and doing what you have to earns you a ton of respect from your teammates.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 22 | 174 ANSWERS Two players who dropped the gloves caught on camera talking after the game Do you feel teams are targeting Auston Matthews deliberately? | ||
| Yes, too many unanswered cheap shots | 66 | 37.9 % |
| No, just playing him hard | 108 | 62.1 % |
| List of polls | ||