New Jersey Devils fans got the worst possible surprise on the team’s off day when we learned that Sami Vatanen would be out for an unknown time after a hit to his face caused another concussion. This would be his second concussion in ten months, and one that caused a pretty serious cut on his face.
The hit looks innocent enough. It wasn’t exactly clean, but it also wasn’t Tom-Wilson-level bad. Derick Brassard lifted himself slightly off the ice in a game that was 4-1 with 10 minutes left. It was extremely unnecessary, but the Pittsburgh Penguins likely feel like they are never out of the game, especially against the Devils on home ice.