'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NHL fans on social media shared their reactions to Mac Pacioretty's huge hit on Jack Hughes during Tuesday's game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils.
In the second period, Hughes was stationary as he picked up a loose puck when Pacioretty, noticing the Devils forward wasn't moving, steamrolled over him.
Trending
The hit appeared to be clean, but its impact was intensified by Hughes' lack of momentum during the play. Although the hit looked severe, it was deemed legal, resulting in no penalty being assessed.
Jack Hughes appeared to be fine after taking the hit, as he was able to continue the game. However, the hit from Pacioretty sparked a lively debate among fans on X/Twitter. One said:
"All head contact. That’s a major penalty."
Another chimed in:
"Leafs getting no call here is insane. Max better be ready to answer the bell."
Here are some of the other top reactions on X:
"Should be a minor because yes he didn’t have the puck BUT it was also made to look worse than it actually was because Jack was falling before max made impact," a second fan opined.
"Clean hit. Hughes had the puck. Guys are allowed to finish their check. Max can't stop on a dime. Glad it wasn't a penalty on the play," another user posted.
"Good hit. Wouldn’t be surprised if Jack isn’t back for the 3rd period (I’m a devils fan. Just thinking spotters will think he’s concussed)," another chimed in.
"Clean hit hughes started to lean back/fall right before but nevertheless someone should beat the shit out of Pacioretty," another X user opined.
Jack Hughes and Devils lost to Leafs in OT
On Tuesday, the New Jersey Devils hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Prudential Center. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 2-1 in overtime.
Ondrej Palat opened the scoring for the Devils at 7:16 on an assist from Jesper Bratt to put the team up 1-0 in the second period.
Pontus Holmberg tied it for the Leafs after scoring a short-handed goal. Auston Matthews then capped off the night with a win for the Maple Leafs after scoring an unassisted goal 2:21 into overtime.
Jack Hughes and the Devils next face the LA Kings on Thursday. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET.
