Philadelphia Flyers forward Matt Read could receive punishment after the fact for a blindside hit to the head of New York Rangers forward Dan Carcillo in the third period of Game 3 on Tuesday.
Carcillo turned in the neutral zone to skate towards the Flyers zone and crossed paths with Read as Read headed towards Philadelphia's bench for a change. Read dipped his shoulder into Carcillo's face as they passed one another and Carcillo's head snapped back as he fell to the ice.
Asked Carcillo if he was "fully aware" while laying on ice after Read hit. Sardonic smile, "Yup, fully aware." Slight laugh.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) April 23, 2014
View a GIF of the incident here.
Read was not assessed a penalty on the play, but could face supplimental discipline under NHL Rule 48, which states:
48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted. However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered.