The NHL Should Review Brayden Schenn’s Cross-Check to Evgeny Kuznetsov’s Knee

By Ian Oland On April 21, 2016  99 Comments

brayden-schenn-knee

Flyers forward Brayden Schenn had already delivered a series full of questionable hits. During Game Four, Schenn stepped his troll game up another notch, using his stick as a weapon.

The hubbub occurred late in the second period. Second line forward Justin Williams centered a pass to Evgeny Kuznetsov in front of the net. Kuznetsov took a few whacks at the puck in the crease before Michal Neuvirth froze the puck. That’s when Schenn arrived on the scene to deliver a cross-check after the whistle.

It was a dangerous play.

Danny slowed down the footage.

I don’t have problems with boys being boys after the whistle and scrumming it up, but Schenn was literally trying to break Kuznetsov’s leg. That is, um, not an honorable way to play hockey. Though it seems Schenn has a lot of experience with stuff like this.

Kuznetsov is lucky his knee is still connected to his femur and shin.

You might be shocked to hear this, but there are rules against things like this.

If you intentionally try to injure another player, you’re supposed to get a match penalty.

Part 21.2 of the NHL rulebook [PDF]:

A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately attempts to injure or who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner

I get that hockey players are tough and I get Brayden Schenn is trying (in some bizarre way) to protect his teammates. I also get that this is the playoffs and you have to pay the price for the cup, whatever that actually means. But trying to deliberately injure one of the Capitals best players with his back turned is an embarrassment.

If the NHL cares about their players, they will review this hit.

And I promise you, the NHL will not review this hit.

Full RMNB Coverage of Game Four



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  • Mark Gillis

    This totally went over ym head when it happened. I thought it was more in the hip area, because who the hell cross checks somebody in the knee?

  • Myan

    Behind the knee. Where there’s no padding and a lot of tendons.

    Answer: literal human garbage.

  • Bobandy

    Noticed this live and couldn’t believe the refs didnt catch it. It was pretty obvious, and really looked like he put some force into it. He does it to the the hip, lower back, or butt, your good, but it looks like he really went right at the side of this knee on purpose. Soooo greasy!

  • Dan Curry

    It used to be very hard for me to decide who I would rather lose whenever Philly played Pittsburgh, granted that they can’t both lose.

    Used to be.

  • Bobandy

    Also, if Chimeras little butt-end to Gostisbehere is worth 5k, this has to be worthy of some form of punishment, right?

  • Myan

    Some guys just want to be assholes, I get it. This is beyond wanting to be an asshole, this is straight up sadistic. What a sorry excuse for a human being.

  • Drew Koslow

    Full on dirty hit by Schenn. He reminds me of Dale Hunter minus the clutch goals. What really gets me is that he skates up behind Kuzy, eyeing up that vulnerable spot with no pads and gives him a solid two-hander. No way this gets reviewed by DPS. This is another one of those hits the Caps will store in their memory banks for some retribution next regular season. Schenn=target.

  • Mark Gillis

    I try to take a mostly non-violent approach to hockey fandom, but I kinda want to see Willy blow Schenn up with a big hit, or fight, or something.

  • RT23

    Absolutely despicable. There are plenty of ways to play tough and even intentionally inflict pain within the bounds of the game. And you even get a little leeway from the refs to push and shove after the whistle. But this is nothing but an attempt to strategically injure a key opposing player after the whistle. If this is ok then why not just run him over in the parking lot after the game.

  • GetchaGrubbOn

    As I stated in the other post, if you go out of your way to hit the head or knee I consider it 100% intent to injure. There is no room in the sport for this kind of behavior.

  • lilwolf30

    Is this when Kuzy threw a punch? I was at a bar in San Diego and no sound but I clearly remember a play where I saw Kuzy punch out and was trying to figure out why. This would make sense!

    Clearly he needs to be dumped again by Ovi…this time preferably in the trash.

  • Cthulu’s Alarm Clock

    Was that Chimmer or Winnick that tripped Schenn in that last Tweet?

  • lilwolf30

    Winnick!

  • Myan

    We refer to Schenn as Dog Shit and my friends aren’t even Caps fans. He’s just a shitty person so the name really fits.

  • Cthulu’s Alarm Clock

    Good on Winnick, then.

  • Cthulu’s Alarm Clock

    The thing that really gets me with this is, is that what Schenn is doing is so plain & out in the open, just completely indefensible (unless you’re a sociopath), and yet the league seems to be just shrugging their shoulders & saying “LOL Playoffs”…

  • Barrett

    yes. he immediately went after Schenn.

  • Bugs Fire

    It’s different from Chimera’s infraction that he was fined for because it was in theory a response to non-call for two-handed slash (not an excuse, of course). But that’s where distinction ends (and it’s not in Schenn’s favour anyway). Suspension would be too much by DoPS standards, but a fine would be quite appropriate.

  • Barrett

    Maybe if Kuzy flopped like Gostisbehere they would review it.

  • Dan Curry

    Through the glass.

  • Barrett

    Would it matter that he’s already been suspended by the DoPS?

  • Dan Curry

    I imagine a decibel record would be set.

  • TechnoRealz

    Finally! LOL you understand the code.

  • ErskSMASH

    schenn is a dirty piece of shit, perfect for the broadstreet bully flyers that snider built, perfect for the trashy philly fans… we need to finish them on friday and hopefully do it without them taking out any more of our players

  • Barrett

    I’ve been waiting for Wilson to beat the snot out of somebody since Orlov was boarded. Maybe at home on Friday someone will make Bellemare answer for the hit, but instead just knock Schenn out.

  • Myan

    Why not just Tanya Harding Kuzy after a morning skate?

  • BillyBones

    Idk what Schenn is trying to do in this series, he’s absolute garbage and the only thing she’s done thus far is take dangerous runs and cheap shots at Caps players..You think he’s still bitter about this hit?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KKGq8Zo-TE

  • Eric Schulz

    Of course I didn’t miss it; it’s not hard to see stuff like that in real time because it’s obvious when players are trying to injure other players. Of course, when I called Schenn out I was shouted down, because playoff hockey, and I’m biased.

  • Ryan Deem

    Schenn on shin would be bad enough. This is unacceptable.

  • TechnoRealz

    Flyers M.O. – ‘We shall Hack/Slash (Little Clode), Sucker Punch (Goondas), Head Shot (Manning, White, Shenn), Horse Collar (Manning) ,Cross Check Illegally (Shenn, Manning) & Flop (Gost) at least 60 times per game because the ref won’t call them all and DOP will only suspend if there is death or maiming.’

  • David Snoots

    Very true, the only difference between Schenn and Tanya here is a crowbar.

  • TechnoRealz

    It’s Ovie time in GM5.

  • GetchaGrubbOn

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

  • Mr. Peabody & His Boy Sherman

    DoPS will do nothing. Also, note that Pronger (former Flyer and dirty player extraordinaire) is on the DoPS.

  • Mr. Peabody & His Boy Sherman

    just like Letang’s throat slash

  • Robin Hart Carroll

    He’s gross. That “slash” was way after the whistle. And of all people, Kuzy? Right up there with Backstrom as least likely to hurt your goaltender.

  • Hockey Minion

    I never had that problem. Glad you’ve seen the light.

  • VeggieTart

    Brayden-with-a-y Schenn been a pain in the ass all series long. Guess the ref didn’t catch it as he was skating over to the play. But I sure hope the league gives him a call. If Andrew Shaw can be fined and suspended for using ugly language and swearing at a ref, this guy needs to be suspended for crosschecking a player in the knees after the whistle.

  • VeggieTart

    If there’s no advantage to be gained by the Caps by one team losing, I root for the team lower in the standings. That might change after this playoff series, even when you take into account Letang trying to decapitate Stalberg.

  • Tim Kain

    TL:DR – Schenn has been and will always be a dirty player and the NHL doesn’t really care about player safety, just viewership.

  • Shaun Phillips

    This play plus the head shot on Willy last night (and Orpik’s injury already), please let’s end this series next game before they seriously injure anyone else. Manning should get a call from DPS too but he won’t cause Pronger (even though it’s hits like that that ended his career prematurely).

  • RegalBeagle

    *Flyers player spears Caps player without puck in open ice after whistle stops play*
    Ref: “Play is under review…”

  • Dan Curry

    I always tended to lean towards rooting against Philly, but something has finally crystallized.

    I believe a Flyers equivalent to the Deadguins shirt is in order.

  • MJC

    DoPS overlooked this one from Game 2…Simmonds did the same thing to Ovechkin after the whistle when he was tied up with Gudas. https://youtu.be/c9QI-L4LuZc?t=3294

  • Bobby Condrey

    Is there a way we can force the NHL to do something about deliberate attempts to injure players (Schenn and Letang). I don’t remember the last time I have seen stuff like this on a regular basis. The NHL’s treatment of this is almost as embarrassing as the flyers fans in game 3.

  • CapsF92

    But remember, according to Ryan White, we’re getting all the calls!

  • Owen Johnson

    Speaking of which, every time I saw Gudas last night, I got so mad! How did he not get suspended?

  • CelticFCBhoys

    Schenn needs to get Visnovskied…

  • Ryan Deem
  • Drew Koslow

    Nice reference to Cassandra!

  • Ovechkin alex

    Kuzya super

  • BT

    At least Letang’s stick foul was during play while engaged with a third player. Not sure what Schenn’s defence would be.

  • Dan Curry

    WTF I SEE IT.

    It’s almost like they conspired together to do the same thing.

    Seriously… This is just as bad as the Shennanigans.

    Can we get slo-mo on this too?

  • vamaba

    I was shocked that no penalty was called when I saw this during the game. WTF the refs were looking at?

  • Shakes

    Best case scenario is game 5 is won and Tom gets a chance to destroy Schenn with a hit or his hands. What a D that guy is.

    We always talk about players losing their cool but considering how they responded to that hit on Orly Monday I was impressed with their restraint. I would have swung my stick like a hatchet at Bellevue or White or Gudas immediately.

    Even now I think I would cowardly sucker punch Gudas or White if I ever saw them walking around town. They are under my skin if not the Caps… F’ers

  • thor

    litigation?

  • OoooohBurracuda

    since I was the one conversing with you, I’ll bite the troll bait:

    1) I certainly didn’t shout you down. In fact my replies were all very even keeled. I even agreed with you that it was bullshit.
    2) Live, I thought he hit him mid calf and more from behind. Yes, upon further review it was much dirtier than that. Kudos to you I guess.
    3) You’re still insanely negative and I will not stop finding your commentary grating. I will, however, do my best to bite my tongue in the future and not engage you, since any conversation must surely be shouting.

    Good day to you, Go Caps.

  • giacfsp

    If Schenn had come in and cracked Kuzy in the ribs or the arm, that would be one thing. But the fact that he paused long enough to look down and then aim at the side of the knee can be construed as nothing other than an intent to injure.

    I don’t encourage a fight, but if the Caps are up several goals in the final minute, I hope someone absolutely destroys Schenn. I’m not saying try to permanently injure him, but absolutely crush him in a way that leaves bruises that will last as long as Schenn’s disappointment over getting eliminated … in five games.

  • giacfsp

    Sadly, that’s true.

    If the Caps lose to a better team, that’s one thing. It sucks, but it happens.

    If they lose to the Flyers, you tip your cap to quality players like Simmonds and of course Neuwirth. But scumbags like Schenn are repellant human beings and have no place in the sport.

  • giacfsp

    I almost want them to activate Weber for game 5 just to pay Schenn a little visit (and if things get out of hand, Wilson wouldn’t be subject to a suspension, etc.)

  • Ray Rheault

    “…hit Schenn while Schenn is facing the boards.”

    Uh, no. Did not happen that way.

  • Ray Rheault

    NYKnicks under Pat Riley: “They can’t call everything.”

  • TechnoRealz

    NYK under Pat Riley never won anything either.
    U don’t cheat your way to the championship.

  • MJC

    When you play the video click on the “gear” in the lower right…change “Normal” to “0.5” or “0.25”.

  • Tom Wilson. Cleanup on Aisle 10!

  • disqus_discuss

    Schenn – what a schitt

  • Eric Schulz

    I wasn’t shocked at all; how long have you been watching the Caps play that you were shocked that a hit with intent to injure wasn’t called? First game?

  • Eric Schulz

    The Caps should be putting together tape on all these hits and sending it to the NHL to look at. At the very least demanding an explanation. I’d also send it to the media, the NHL network etc. All of game 1 the narrative was Chimera’s buttend of Gostisbehere but no mention of the successful targeting of Backstrom, and so many other hits this series have been ignored too. At the least get the media talking about it and hopefully the refs will see that and we can chip away, at least a little bit, at their bullshit anti-Caps bias.

  • Brian Keith Cabacar

    The Schennanigens

  • SoP

    Hey, I just saw an article you guys did in 2012 where
    Kuzie had a knee injury and had to be stretchered off the ice.

    Thank you for doing this article. It looks like others are following your lead.

  • Bugs Fire

    Probably not because no injury. And it’s unlikely to be reviewed at all, to be honest.

  • Bugs Fire

    I don’t understand why everyone is so positive about Simmonds all of a sudden. He is the sucker punch champ. He may be a better player and I hear he does a lot of community work, but that doesn’t change other facts.

  • Eric Schulz

    Because when surrounded by human garbage, suddenly dirty doesn’t seem so bad.

  • Raezilla

    For sure he’s still bitter about it. I’m sure they all are. Wilson never needs to hit Schenn like that again, he just needs to remind him tomorrow that he could.

  • Raezilla

    Yep.

  • Raezilla

    Kinda wish they’d throw in Latta and Weber for this game.

  • SoP

    Thank you for highlighting this. This and Simmond’s hit on Ovi’s knee in game two are example of what the league proclaim to want to be putting an end to. Glad that Trotz is talking to people about it.

  • Raezilla

    I agree and said similar above. Throw in Weber and Latta. Send a message.

  • vamaba

    It was a rhetorical statement.

  • Eric Schulz

    I want us to have tried in game 4 so that we wouldn’t need to have another game to worry about them trying to injure us. But hey, I guess it’s understandable to some that they couldn’t get up for an elimination game, being up 3-0 and all. The only thing that was the possibility of letting them back in the series, losing a key player due to any number of their attempts to injure us… you know, the only thing that was on the line was a chance to win the Cup. Hard to get up for that, right?
    I’m still really fucking pissed at our inability to show up for game 4.

  • SoP

    Bleep Ryan White. Also Schenn and Gudas.

  • SoP

    Who was the NHL team that was sanctioned for headhunting? If I got really tinfoil hatted why are targeting Russians for the blantently illegal plays.

    Ovi, Orlov, and Kuzie

  • Jonathan Flowers

    MSG Network in NYC just highlighted the Schenn vs. Kuzy below-the-knee crosscheck during 1st intermission of Pens-Rags. At least someone else thinks this was outrageous

  • Derek Rupert

    Tom Wilson is a turd.

  • Harjot Singh

    What a joke?

  • jspoke

    So I just keep replaying the clip from @SteveDrumm and keep laughing. That is too great.

  • Chris Pizzi

    They could have a winter classic or stadium series game and bane could show up.

  • Doug Smith

    Lol keep crying caps fans.. keep crying. It’s not gonna do you any good.

  • Diller M

    “Are you saying Boo? Or Boo-Urns?” BOOOOOOOOO!

  • CapsF92

    Hopefully tonight that will become reality. I have no interest in playing these idiots any longer.

  • Ploy

    Shouldn’t you be out throwing stuff at injured people?

  • SO_CAL_Brat

    Let us not forget that Kuzy has been down and out for a knee injury before and it was the SAME knee that Schenn targeted.
    https://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2012/02/24/evgeny-kuznetsov-knee-injury-stretchered-off-ice/

  • Jack

    Fighting? No, no. This bullsh*t? Perfectly acceptable. The NHL needs an entirely new head office.

  • Christopher Lahiff

    or not

  • Christopher Lahiff

    You guys realize plays like this happen all the time? I guess Chimera hit on Voracek, shouldn’t have been a penalty?

  • Christopher Lahiff

    Scumbags? You kidding? You don’t know hockey that’s for sure

  • CrosbyHater

    Nor will they review the contact of Carelson sending Laughton into the board at about 25 mph, and they also didn’t review chimera running vorachek face first into the glass with a hit straight in the numbers. So whaaaaaw whaaaaaw, it’s fucking hockey and if you are not a caps fan and watched that whole series you would see that the caps got away with more, and the flyers were called on really questionable infractions…especially for playoff hockey. If you are a caps fan you probably had cum in your eyes and couldn’t see the games clearly!

  • CrosbyHater

    Nowhere in this article did it mention schenn’s interview where he says he tries to play good clean hockey and was sorry and embarrassed at his action and admitted what he did was poor sportsmanship and he would answer to whatever the caps had for home next game, too bad it was Oshi because schenn’s kicked his ass. This article also doesn’t acknowledge his public apology on twitter

  • BobbyClobber

    Although I hate the type of play Wilson did on Schenn, it couldn’t happen to a better guy, after what he did to Kuznetsov!