Rangers' Moore Could Face Suspension For Hit On Weise
MONTREAL (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The New York Rangers may have to play the remainder of the Eastern Conference finals without defenseman John Moore.
Moore was given a major penalty in the third period of Tuesday's 7-4 loss in Game 5 and was ejected for a blindside, open ice hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise that was similar to Brandon Prust's hit on Derek Stepan earlier in the series.
Weise was wobbly when he got up and went for treatment, but returned to the bench late in the period.
The NHL player safety department announced that Moore will have a hearing on Wednesday to see if further discipline is in order.
"The league will do what it has to do," Vigneault said of the hit. "John is not the type of person who would try to hurt someone, but it was a late hit."
Television analysts said it resembled Prust in Game 3. He was suspended two games for the hit that broke Stepan's jaw.
Some Canadiens players thought it was worse.
"We didn't like that hit," forward Brendan Gallagher said. "For me, comparing it to the hit that Prusty had, Prusty's was late and that was the right call by the league, but I think this one was late as well and at the same time it had the blind side and Weiser's helmet came off. It was just a dangerous play, and we'll let the league take care of it."
The Rangers lead the best-of-seven series 3-2. Game 6 is Thursday in New York.
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