“I thought the hit was good”- T.J. Oshie shares his honest opinion on Artemi Panarin’s no-call hit in Game 2

Rangers’ forward Artemi Panarin became embroiled in controversy following a big hit on Capitals’ T.J. Oshie.

During the play, Artemi Panarin caught Oshie on the head. The hard hit led to Oshie leaving the game for concussion protocol. But Oshie returned to the game minutes later.

There was no call on the play. However, the play was reviewed for a major penalty, resulting in no penalty.

Oshie shared his thoughts on NHL on TNT regarding the hit in game two:

"Me personally, I thought the Panarin hit was good. I love that, I think that’s the way it should be called."

It seems Oshie isn’t holding any grudges. But Oshie’s teammates didn’t take the hit kindly. Connor McMichael took a shot at Artemi Panarin, drawing a roughing call. So, the Rangers ended up going on the powerplay instead of the Capitals.

Tom Wilson added these comments per the Hockey News:

"It’s one of those things that looks like he’s going after him a little bit. Osh is in a vulnerable spot and he gets him high."

Wilson echoed the sentiments of those watching. The hit was to the head and should have drawn at least a minor penalty.

The Rangers edged the Caps in game two 4-3. The win gave New York a 2-0 series lead, putting the Caps into a tough spot moving into game three in Washington.

Artemi Panarin and the Rangers leading the Caps after 40 minutes in game three, taking 3-0 series lead

Artemi Panarin and the Rangers lead the Capitals 3-1 after 40 minutes. John Carlson opened the scoring for Washington in the first, notching his first tally of the postseason at 5:34. However, it’s been all New York since then.

The Rangers tied the game on a goal by Chris Kreider less than a minute later. Roughly two minutes later, the Ranger took the lead in Barclay Goodrow’s first of the playoffs. The Goodrow goal was especially painful as it was a shorthanded marker.

Vincent Trochek scored in the second period to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead heading into the second intermission.

If the score holds up, the Rangers will take a stranglehold on the series. They will look to close out the Capitals on Sunday night. The sweep would avenge last year’s loss to the Devils, even though Artemi Panarin has been relatively quiet this postseason.

Thus far, Panarin has registered a single goal. The tally came in game one. But the Rangers’ depth has them in the driver’s seat of this series.

Panarin and the Rangers seem to be on a collision course with the Carolina Hurricanes, who are looking to sweep the New York Islanders tomorrow night.