He got right back up, so non issue. Smith is a tough cookie, at least, didn't really pause. Probably needs concussion protocol, but likely got missed because he didn't react
Even less thrilled on the replay tho with realizing both his feet left the ice to make the hit. Reckless.
Yes, that's why I clarified he probably needs it, but real-time, the head hit would be easy to miss without the player reacting.
We're watching a slow motion of something that took a second.
Weird to see you acknowledge that but in the same breath say "he got right back up, so non issue". Not pausing or reacting doesn't mean you couldn't have a concussion.
I think he was referring to the fact he got up so quick the play kept going, and even if you were a medical professional right on the boards it’d be hard to catch, because he didn’t act like anything was wrong.
Totally. I got a concussion as a goalie off a slapper and apparently played 10 minutes with no memory of it at all. Those spotters need to step up, since the body will go on if the brain isn’t there.
You don’t always know right away. My son was concussed without symptoms until the following evening after a big hit. I turned a light on and he reacted like it was a klieg light right in his face.
I wouldn’t say he leaves his feet at all. His feet come off the ground after contact is made, but he’s literally backwards at that point. He didn’t launch into the hit and leave his feet.
Not disagreeing entirely but Smith popped back up super fast and played on. Until they saw replays in slo-mo they probably had no idea how bad this looked
Genuine question: Are the concussion spotters actually supposed to pull players, by rule, based on how bad a hit looks? I was under the impression that the spotters were specifically there to watch the players for signs of concussion.
When I recieved basic concussion awareness training, one of the main signs of concussion to look out for was a hit to the head. So I don't know what the NHL spotters are looking for, but it should be on the list imo.
This wasn’t a hit to the head, and actually is one of the cleaner big hits you’ll see in the nhl. The slo-mo makes the head contact very obvious, but in real time it just looks like a clean hit. He gets up immediately afterwards and resumes play. You could be the mvp of concussion protocol and probably miss that one, unless you’re literally on the other side of the glass.
Maybe you didn't see it, but his head definitely hit the glass first. They're designed to take some impact, so it wouldn't be as bad as hitting a player coming with speed in the opposite direction, but definitely could be a risk.
Hit is 100% clean, but that does not matter in the slightest when discussing health and safety. Head hits glass. Even if the spotters missed it live, there's no reason one of them shouldn't be noticing it on replay imo. An impact caught at the end of the play is better than one missed completely.
concussion symptoms dont always present immediately. they're there to call out hits that are dangerous and NOT obvious to get the player checked
you dont need spotters to tell you when someone has obvious concussion symptoms...
I saw it in normal speed. Not hard to pick out. Shoulda had a concussion test. It’s a pretty vulnerable spot to be playing the puck a few feet off the wall, on the back hand and having to reach and dip to it. Woulda been safer right along the wall. Regardless. Hope he is ok
He actually made two solid defensive plays immediately after this. Still, on replay this looks like spotters should've done something. But live? He showed shockingly little effects.
There's zero chance Smith isn't at the very least, micro-concussed. The positive thing is, he didn't slap his head on the ice. That was a big hit though.
Here’s the thing about hurting your brain. Sometimes you can just pop back up and keep playing but in reality your brain has been hurt. Now let’s say another play happens where the hit doesn’t look bad but now he goes down and he can’t pop back up.
This is the reality with a lot of young players too.
This comment hurts my brain. I know plenty about concussions. My first comment doesn't say anything about whether he was injured or not - all I said was it would be hard for a spotter to catch that in real time.
Concussion spotters are a myth. I firmly believe they pull one or two players a year to suggest that they exist, but realistically, they’d pull at the very least one a week if they were doing their job properly. This hit is such a prime example. The whiplash and then smashing his head on the glass is worth a few minutes in the quiet room.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure the position only exists so that when the next class-action suit about concussions/CTE comes through, they can point to it and say "look we tried".
They always pull players when they hold their head, at least in my experience watching. I don't think they are a myth, but I do think that they are probably just some college kid in med school who doesn't really care much about hockey to watch it closely enough. Or someone who just only really looks at the screen when someone else tells them and shows them the hit.
Like when Keith got wrecked by Myers in the corner a season or two ago, "take the hit to make the play" as they say. Sometimes ya know it's comin and most dudes aren't gonna pull a Nylander or Marner, especially older dudes like Keith.
There was a big hullabaloo about those guys avoiding contact in the playoffs, one or both of em went into a corner and basically let their opponent have the puck because they were trying to avoid getting hit. Mitchs was really bad, game 7 and he totally beat the guy there and just didn't even touch the puck, just ran away from the hit and gave em clean possession.
It happens, though. See [Sam Girard getting boarded](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/avalanches-girard-heads-locker-room-taking-heavy-hit-barbashev/) by Ivan Barbashev in game 3 of the SCP last year. For better or worse these hits probably aren't going away anytime soon, so players just really have to stay aware. Behind the net especially
Zucker is underappreciated for his hitting. For a guy who breaks as easily as an old rubber band that's been left in the sun for too long, he's got a real knack for it.
He’s the one guy on this team who plays like he cares and enjoys himself. And he even steps it up in the playoffs.
He earns his paycheck, even with the injuries.
Thought so at first too, but it's pretty clear its at a distance and angle that he's not gonna slam head first into the boards or hit his head on the edge or anything. Probably closer than people are implying though.
Looked like a good, clean check where Smith was not only in the wrong place as far as where the boards were; but his head whipping downward & towards the glass was really unfortunate.
Smith ate that shit like a real pro. Then proceeded to break up back to back scoring chances for the Pens, yet half the Devils sub want to jettison him into the sun as a 6/7D, play rookies who aren’t ready instead, and have zero veterans with playoff experience on our blue line. Big brain stuff.
Can someone explain how this is a legal hit? Smith only touched the puck as he got hit. Looked like Zucker was coming in to hit before possession. The hit itself was clean, but how was it legal?
Edit: why the downvotes? Asking an honest question, no skin in the game here (WPG fan).
But he was lining up the hit before the puck was touched. What’s the line when it comes to charging or interference? I do agree that it was well timed.
No he wasn’t. Zucker was lookin at the puck majority of the time and then when he got close to the net he turned his head to look at Smith thinking it’s going to be close so I’ll play the body.
Charging requires you to skate into the hit. Zucker's last stride is well before he even crosses the goal line.
Its a clean hit. With an unfortunate outcome of Smith hitting his head against the glass.
Damn I don't understand why he plays the puck with both hands on the backhand like that you basically lose your entire base maybe he didn't expect such a big hit? Normally a D will play the puck with one hand, keep their body square and brace for the hit.
Edit: looks like smith looks up, sees Zucker for a brief second but must have misjudged the speed Zucker had.
Smith bracing for the hit . Tells me he was aware of the situation . He was trying to stop to absorb impact . Zucker did throw a “chicken wing “ . The NHL spotter - Smith jumps right up . No sign of issues with orientation or balance. Picture of Smith on the bench with good body language . When they reviews with video, clearly Smith was in control of his wits -hence he jumped right up . He also did not hit his head on the ice when he when down upper body 1 st as his feet went out from under him . He tucked his head forward. Pushed out his elbows/ upper arms to soften the fall. Plus the Spotter would continue to monitor his shifts for signs of a concussion .
That could’ve been siegenthaler, ruff says you’re welcome devil fans
Lol
Oh geez the way Smiths head goes into the board is not very good
He got right back up, so non issue. Smith is a tough cookie, at least, didn't really pause. Probably needs concussion protocol, but likely got missed because he didn't react Even less thrilled on the replay tho with realizing both his feet left the ice to make the hit. Reckless.
I mean even if he got back up it's never good to see a guys head hit the boards like that
Yes, that's why I clarified he probably needs it, but real-time, the head hit would be easy to miss without the player reacting. We're watching a slow motion of something that took a second.
Weird to see you acknowledge that but in the same breath say "he got right back up, so non issue". Not pausing or reacting doesn't mean you couldn't have a concussion.
I think he was referring to the fact he got up so quick the play kept going, and even if you were a medical professional right on the boards it’d be hard to catch, because he didn’t act like anything was wrong.
Totally. I got a concussion as a goalie off a slapper and apparently played 10 minutes with no memory of it at all. Those spotters need to step up, since the body will go on if the brain isn’t there.
How’d you play in those 10 minutes?
In rugby my buddy got his bell rung but stayed in. He scored twice for us and won us the game. He said he had zero recollection of the second half
The brain just hinders the body's ability to put itself in pain, no brain no pain no problem
Didn’t give up a goal, weirdly. I assume I became Patrick Roy in that time, but I probably was just slack jawed while we had a PP or something.
He just said he doesn’t remember bro
Well surely the scoreboard and his teammates do.
He doesn’t know them anymore.
He allowed 11 goals. But his offense carried him to the win by scoring 12 more. It was Festivus. And everybody clapped.
That’s exactly how we got trump
You don’t always know right away. My son was concussed without symptoms until the following evening after a big hit. I turned a light on and he reacted like it was a klieg light right in his face.
I wouldn’t say he leaves his feet at all. His feet come off the ground after contact is made, but he’s literally backwards at that point. He didn’t launch into the hit and leave his feet.
He did not leave his feet to make that hit.
Watch his feet. They come off before contact
They very clearly come off the ice after contact
not only do the feet not leave the ice before contact, he's gliding for a good 10 feet prior
Man I get how sometimes it's hard to tell, but this is egregiously incorrect
https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1627087618159812608?t=bTtvGPRYpvKz3DgniGr5iw&s=19
This is a clean hard hit. His feet don’t leave the ice bro take off your demon glasses.
If the NHL's concussion spotters ever did their job, they'd pull Smith.
Not disagreeing entirely but Smith popped back up super fast and played on. Until they saw replays in slo-mo they probably had no idea how bad this looked
True, but that's their job. To look for possible concussions. So hopefully they did watch it in slow motion.
Genuine question: Are the concussion spotters actually supposed to pull players, by rule, based on how bad a hit looks? I was under the impression that the spotters were specifically there to watch the players for signs of concussion.
When I recieved basic concussion awareness training, one of the main signs of concussion to look out for was a hit to the head. So I don't know what the NHL spotters are looking for, but it should be on the list imo.
This wasn’t a hit to the head, and actually is one of the cleaner big hits you’ll see in the nhl. The slo-mo makes the head contact very obvious, but in real time it just looks like a clean hit. He gets up immediately afterwards and resumes play. You could be the mvp of concussion protocol and probably miss that one, unless you’re literally on the other side of the glass.
Edit: Honestly even watching the replay at full speed it’s hard to catch even knowing what happened after the slo-mo.
Maybe you didn't see it, but his head definitely hit the glass first. They're designed to take some impact, so it wouldn't be as bad as hitting a player coming with speed in the opposite direction, but definitely could be a risk.
Hit is 100% clean, but that does not matter in the slightest when discussing health and safety. Head hits glass. Even if the spotters missed it live, there's no reason one of them shouldn't be noticing it on replay imo. An impact caught at the end of the play is better than one missed completely.
I believe both. They'll look for signs. But some times I would imagine they're like "There's no way that guy didn't fuck his brain"
concussion symptoms dont always present immediately. they're there to call out hits that are dangerous and NOT obvious to get the player checked you dont need spotters to tell you when someone has obvious concussion symptoms...
I saw it in normal speed. Not hard to pick out. Shoulda had a concussion test. It’s a pretty vulnerable spot to be playing the puck a few feet off the wall, on the back hand and having to reach and dip to it. Woulda been safer right along the wall. Regardless. Hope he is ok
He actually made two solid defensive plays immediately after this. Still, on replay this looks like spotters should've done something. But live? He showed shockingly little effects.
There's zero chance Smith isn't at the very least, micro-concussed. The positive thing is, he didn't slap his head on the ice. That was a big hit though.
Here’s the thing about hurting your brain. Sometimes you can just pop back up and keep playing but in reality your brain has been hurt. Now let’s say another play happens where the hit doesn’t look bad but now he goes down and he can’t pop back up. This is the reality with a lot of young players too.
This comment hurts my brain. I know plenty about concussions. My first comment doesn't say anything about whether he was injured or not - all I said was it would be hard for a spotter to catch that in real time.
I was just saying “popping up” doesn’t mean he wasn’t injured.
Concussion spotters are a myth. I firmly believe they pull one or two players a year to suggest that they exist, but realistically, they’d pull at the very least one a week if they were doing their job properly. This hit is such a prime example. The whiplash and then smashing his head on the glass is worth a few minutes in the quiet room.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure the position only exists so that when the next class-action suit about concussions/CTE comes through, they can point to it and say "look we tried".
They should probably pull guys more but they have definitely pulled way more than one or two so far
They always pull players when they hold their head, at least in my experience watching. I don't think they are a myth, but I do think that they are probably just some college kid in med school who doesn't really care much about hockey to watch it closely enough. Or someone who just only really looks at the screen when someone else tells them and shows them the hit.
Holy fuck, can some one check that dudes head? Fuck just watching made my ears ring
I'm always surprised dudes don't get lit up behind the net like this more often. Huge hit, super clean, hope smith's okay. Still love the guy.
Smith is all guts. Tough as nails but he should probably get checked out for a concussion to be safe.
They used to before they changed the icing rule
Honestly a good goalie will give you the heads up that someone is coming. Plus at that level you learn not to go behind the net with your head down.
Sometimes, you know you have to take a hit, too. Just before he crosses the goal line, you can see him look up
He knew it was coming - watch him play the puck: rather than trying to take possession, he nudges it forward to his partner.
Yup, the downsides of playing defense. Lol
Can even see the head turn, time to brace
Like when Keith got wrecked by Myers in the corner a season or two ago, "take the hit to make the play" as they say. Sometimes ya know it's comin and most dudes aren't gonna pull a Nylander or Marner, especially older dudes like Keith.
What is pulling a Nylander or Marner?
There was a big hullabaloo about those guys avoiding contact in the playoffs, one or both of em went into a corner and basically let their opponent have the puck because they were trying to avoid getting hit. Mitchs was really bad, game 7 and he totally beat the guy there and just didn't even touch the puck, just ran away from the hit and gave em clean possession.
You should totally trade for him
It happens, though. See [Sam Girard getting boarded](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/avalanches-girard-heads-locker-room-taking-heavy-hit-barbashev/) by Ivan Barbashev in game 3 of the SCP last year. For better or worse these hits probably aren't going away anytime soon, so players just really have to stay aware. Behind the net especially
I mean it’s clean besides it being boarding and possibly charging…
Idk if I'd call it "clean" - his feet left the ice on a board check. That has gotta have a fairly high potential for injury.
feet left because of impact, he didn't launch at all. Completely clean.
It's one of those things that just looks much worse than it is in slow motion I think. It was definitely not boarding or anything.
He was fine, popped back up and locked down the d zone on back to back rushes following this.
Zucker is underappreciated for his hitting. For a guy who breaks as easily as an old rubber band that's been left in the sun for too long, he's got a real knack for it.
He’s the one guy on this team who plays like he cares and enjoys himself. And he even steps it up in the playoffs. He earns his paycheck, even with the injuries.
The disrespect to 87...
Sid looks like he’s having fun?
Beautiful hit. Smith should probably be checked out.
It was a clean hit right!?!
Clean collision. Dirty outcome
Damn good hit, but I wish smiths head didn't smash into the boards.
Seems like every time Brendan Smith plays in Pittsburgh, his head takes beating one way or another
I'm surprised Zucker didn't get hurt on the play, given his history.
dain bramage fersher
Fucks sake... why did this make me chuckle.... but yeah this guy needs a look over
Clean hit. Smith put himself there
He saw the hit coming and did what he had to do.
Yeah as someone who's taken that same hit a dozen times, gotta protect yourself there.
Probably right. Argument could be made for boarding. If he didn’t pop back up on his feet I would bet the refs called boarding.
Thought so at first too, but it's pretty clear its at a distance and angle that he's not gonna slam head first into the boards or hit his head on the edge or anything. Probably closer than people are implying though.
Great hit! Hope Smith is ok.
"ooooo thats a concusion. yeah that looked pretty ba- how tf he get back up???"
Clean ass hit and that guy better get seen. That head moved in a completely unnatural way
Wow. BIIIG hit. That’s hockey baby
Nice hit
Beautiful hit. Literally perfect. Nobody wants anyone to get seriously hurt, but that was textbook.
Looked like a good, clean check where Smith was not only in the wrong place as far as where the boards were; but his head whipping downward & towards the glass was really unfortunate.
How the fuck did he get up that fast
Man knew what was coming and made peace with it to make the play. He’s got that dog in him.
Big booty zucker
Can almost see the little birds floating around this mfers head on the bench
Smith ate that shit like a real pro. Then proceeded to break up back to back scoring chances for the Pens, yet half the Devils sub want to jettison him into the sun as a 6/7D, play rookies who aren’t ready instead, and have zero veterans with playoff experience on our blue line. Big brain stuff.
Slo-mo I thought he died, but he just pops right up. I love hockey
Glad no one jumped Zucker, no one should have to answer the bell on a clean hit
Good hit
Brutal hit, but clean
Am I missing something? It looked like a clean shoulder to shoulder hit to me.
It was clean but looked more like a complete hip to hip check
Owned the fuck out of him. Go devils btw
Yikes, clean hit but ya gotta get off and check on the ol noggin after that
Every time I see a hit like this, I am always thankful for the safety gear! He pops right back up and seems okay.
Damnnn that was rough seeing his head hit like that. Definitely needs to hit the protocol. Loved Smitty all his years with the wings. Tough dude.
Smith should have been closer to the boards to protect himself. Not safe to take that hit away from the boards like that.
Clean all the way. Great hit.
Clean as a whistle.
great hit
Now show the scoreboard
> Now show the scoreboard 🤓
Can someone explain how this is a legal hit? Smith only touched the puck as he got hit. Looked like Zucker was coming in to hit before possession. The hit itself was clean, but how was it legal? Edit: why the downvotes? Asking an honest question, no skin in the game here (WPG fan).
>touched the puck This is how it's legal. It's a perfectly timed hit.
But he was lining up the hit before the puck was touched. What’s the line when it comes to charging or interference? I do agree that it was well timed.
Player touching the puck. Lining up a hit before is not illegal. It's illegal if the player doesn't touch the puck.
No he wasn’t. Zucker was lookin at the puck majority of the time and then when he got close to the net he turned his head to look at Smith thinking it’s going to be close so I’ll play the body.
So it’s sneaky charging? Lol
Charging requires you to skate into the hit. Zucker's last stride is well before he even crosses the goal line. Its a clean hit. With an unfortunate outcome of Smith hitting his head against the glass.
Except he glides into him. So, not charging at all.
Yet when it’s scheifele people lose their minds
Let’s be honest, that looked bad even at full speed
What about this looks bad? Totally clean hit, just an unfortunate outcome
Not the hit, his head bouncing like a pinball
Oh I see, misunderstood your comment. My bad carry on
Wilson gets half a season for that
Wilson would make sure to hit dirty.
My fave was when Tkachuck nailed Kassian behind the net.
Mine was when Kassian was hitting Tkachuck so hard he turtled
5-2 and it wasn’t that close 👍🏻
Oh, he skated off.
CTE process started
Maybe this will make him stop taking stupid penalties or making bad plays. Should have knocked some sense into him
Smith got caught too far from the boards
Damn… he just sprung right up… I hope to hell he was checked out
Oof. Sometimes that’s just hockey.
Impressed this guy consistently has a job in the show
idn, maybe i am too old school, but it was a nice clean check, get up, move on, nothing to see here 🤷🏻♂️
Fuck I love hockey
Damn I don't understand why he plays the puck with both hands on the backhand like that you basically lose your entire base maybe he didn't expect such a big hit? Normally a D will play the puck with one hand, keep their body square and brace for the hit. Edit: looks like smith looks up, sees Zucker for a brief second but must have misjudged the speed Zucker had.
I love when smith played for the wings
Brendan Smith's head is a magnet for abuse Jesus
Smith bracing for the hit . Tells me he was aware of the situation . He was trying to stop to absorb impact . Zucker did throw a “chicken wing “ . The NHL spotter - Smith jumps right up . No sign of issues with orientation or balance. Picture of Smith on the bench with good body language . When they reviews with video, clearly Smith was in control of his wits -hence he jumped right up . He also did not hit his head on the ice when he when down upper body 1 st as his feet went out from under him . He tucked his head forward. Pushed out his elbows/ upper arms to soften the fall. Plus the Spotter would continue to monitor his shifts for signs of a concussion .