Tampa Bay Lightning F Jonathan Drouin Nailed In The Head By Eric Fehr (Video)

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin was intentionally nailed in the head by Pittsburgh Penguins center Eric Fehr in the first period of Game 5.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been dealt more than their fair share of injuries this season, but it has become increasingly frustrating when the aforementioned injuries have come at the hands of one of the Lightning’s opponents. Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay Lightning were almost forced to deal with this very situation tonight at the Consol Energy Center during Game 5 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Final.

The Lightning were playing the puck in the neutral zone. Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin was in an intense battle with Pittsburgh Penguins center Matt Cullen. Drouin takes his eyes off the ice for just one second and he was faced with a situation that could have ended much worse than it actually did.

As Jonathan Drouin took a quick look at the puck on the ice, he was rushed by Penguins center Eric Fehr. Now, had this been a clean hit, we wouldn’t even be talking about this. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the cleanest hit we’ve seen in all our years as a hockey fan.

While we will concede that Drouin should have had his head up, the principle point of contact was Drouin’s head by Fehr’s shoulder. As Fehr finished his check, his skates briefly leave the ice as his arm raises above his head, sending Jonathan Drouin tumbling to the ice and flying head-first into the boards.

Unfortunately, as any Tampa Bay Lightning fan has surely become accustomed to, there was no call made on the play. The good news is that Jonathan Drouin was not injured on the play. At the same time, there are many ways this situation could have played out and the only one that is in favor of the Lightning is the way that actually happened.

The NHL Department of Player Safety has attempted to crack down on these kind of hits this season, but more than a few have gone unnoticed by both the refs and Player Safety; especially in the postseason. This problem is not specifically against the Tampa Bay Lightning. These kind of egregious errors have happened to many different teams over the season, and it sets a dangerous precedent.

In any case, as we mentioned before, Jonathan Drouin was thankfully not injured on the play and there was no call made on the ice. We doubt the NHL Department of Player Safety will involve themselves in this matter, but if this kind of play is allowed to continue, someone is going to get seriously hurt before the end of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Next: Jason Garrison: Team Must Play A Full 60 From Now On

There is still plenty of hockey to be played between these two teams tonight in Pittsburgh. Through the first 15 minutes of the game, neither side has been able to find the back of the net. If there is anything we can guarantee you about this game is it’s going to be one heck of an intense encounter. The victor will get a leg up in the series, the loser will have their backs against the wall in Game 6.