"One of the dirtiest players"; "Completely on Carlo": NHL fans debate Jamie Benn's hit on Brandon Carlo being dirty & dangerous

The game between the Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars on Thursday featured a controversial hit by Stars captain Jamie Benn on Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo.

In the first period, Benn checked Carlo from behind into the boards behind the Bruins net. Carlo was down on the ice in obvious pain after the dangerous hit.

In response, Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov confronted Benn which led to a fight between both players. Zadorov landed several punches on Jamie Benn before they were separated by referees.

Fans took to social media to share their opinions on the incident.

"Nothing new. Benn has low key been one of the dirtiest players in the league for a long time. That being said, I’ve seen him do worse," a fan said.

"Completely on Carlo. Stops at the red to try and hit Benn and got smoked. Taste it Boston," one fan said on X/Twitter.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X:

"How's that only 2 on Benn even with the use of replay. Do the Refs not understand the letter of rule, I mean he just about put Carlo through the boards there was no pull up at all. Hope Carlo's okay," one fan wrote.

"There is really nothing wrong with that hit," another fan said.

"These refs are awful. That shouldn't of even been a penalty. Back when me and Bon use to play there were 30 hits a game like this. The game is soft now," another fan wrote.

"Bad call. Benn knows better. The officials do not know better. Simple. Cut and dry bad call," one fan added.

Jamie Benn subsequently received a two-minute penalty for boarding while both he and Zadorov received five-minute majors for fighting.

Fans' analysis of Jamie Benn's hit on Brandon Carl

One fan provided an in-depth analysis of Jamie Benn's controversial hit, arguing that it did not violate the NHL's rule against checking from behind.

The fan quoted the exact text of Rule 43, which states no penalty shall be called if a player turns his body to create contact with his back before being hit. He argued that Brandon Carlo knew Jamie Benn was approaching and intentionally turned to try to shield the puck, putting himself in a vulnerable position.

"A check from behind is a check delivered on a player or defend himself and contact is made on the back part of the body. When a player intentionally turns his body to create contract with his back, no penalty shall be assessed."

While the hit was undoubtedly dangerous, this fan believes Jamie Benn did not violate the letter of the checking from behind rule since Carlo turned his body.

At the end of the second period, the Dallas Stars held a 5-1 lead over the Bruins.