In Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between Washington and Columbus, Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg got knocked out of the game (and next three games) when Capitals winger Tom Wilson targeted his head.
In Game 2 of the second-round playoff series between Washington and Pittsburgh, Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin got knocked out of the game when Wilson targeted his head.
In both cases, the Capitals’ Alexander Ovechkin helped Wilson sandwich the opponent. The incidents look very similar, if not identical.
Not a coincidence. Not an accident.
Wilson got a minor penalty the first time. He didn’t even get that yesterday.
So why not do it?
There is very little that's safe about the NHL's player safety policies.