Image via Complex Original
The Stanley Cup playoffs begin tomorrow night with the first-round of quarterfinals match-ups. While the 2010-11 NHL season was filled with a couple tight divisional races and some teams barely sneaking into the postseason (we see you, Rangers), the real story of the year was head shots. Vicious hits that caused concussions, fractured vertebrae, and broken jaws had fans, players, and league officials debating whether or not the game needs a change. We're not saying the league would be soft without them (no shots, Super Mario!) but big hits are no doubt entertaining to look back on. So, as you prepare for tomorrow night's first-round of action, check out The 10 Most Brutal Head Shots of the 2010-11 NHL Season...
10. Francis Lessard, Ottawa Senators
DATE: 4/7/2011
VICTIM: Tom Pyatt, Montreal Canadiens
COMPLEX SAYS: Lessard received a major penalty for the hit and Pyatt was not injured. Getting rammed from behind by some 200-plus pound dude is never a good look, though. Yikes.
9. Derek Stepan, New York Rangers
DATE: 2/25/2011
VICTIM: Mike Green, Washington Capitals
COMPLEX SAYS: Sometimes it's the quiet ones that do the most damage. Stepan caught Green with a little shoulder check, giving the Caps' defenceman a concussion he has yet to return from. Despite the hit, Stepan was not suspended. Head game vicious? No doubt, son.
8. Raffi Torres, Vancouver Canucks
DATE: 4/5/2011
VICTIM: Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers
COMPLEX SAYS: Torres was suspended for four games for this head shot despite the fact that Eberle was not injured. So, a hit that caused Green to miss 20 games gets no punishment but a harmless (well, relatively speaking) hit gets a four-game suspension? If you say so, NHL...
7. Todd Bertuzzi, Detroit Red Wings
DATE: 3/28/2011
VICTIM: Ryan Johnson, Chicago Blackhawks
COMPLEX SAYS: Johnson didn't miss any games but Bertuzzi was assessed a five-minute major penalty for the blow. One of the Dirtiest Players of All Time? Oh yeah. Word to Steve Moore.
6. Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
DATE: 3/15/2011
VICTIM: R.J. Umberger, Columbus Blue Jackets
COMPLEX SAYS: Umberger wasn't injured, but after the hit, Marchand was suspended for two games. Umberger also had expected criticism for Marchand: "You got to think that's one of the hits we are trying to eliminate." Uhh...speak for yourself, homie. No harm, no foul.
5. Daniel Paille, Boston Bruins
DATE: 2/3/2011
VICTIM: Raymond Sawada, Dallas Stars
COMPLEX SAYS: Paille's elbow resulted in a broken nose and shoulder injury for Sawada. Paille was later suspended for four games. Soundtrack, please!
4. Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
DATE: 3/8/2011
VICTIM: Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens
COMPLEX SAYS: Pacioretty suffered a fractured vertebrae and a severe concussion from this collision. Chara received a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct but no suspension. However, the Montreal police did launch a criminal investigation though no charges have been filed. No jokes about this serious incident, but how many appearances are Bruins players going to make on this list? #justsayin'
3. Marc Staal, New York Rangers
DATE: 11/22/2010
VICTIM: Matt Stajan, Calgary Flames
COMPLEX SAYS: Staal was not fined or suspended for the legal hit (NHL is pretty badass, huh?) and Stajan returned to the ice after missing only two games. No serious injuries means that laughing at Stajan stumbling is even more enjoyable. Ayo, I'm slipping, I'm falling, I can't get up. (copyright DMX)
2. Matt Cooke, Pittsburgh Penguins
DATE: 3/20/2011
VICTIM: Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers
COMPLEX SAYS: Cooke has been a notorious enforcer in the league for the last few years, racking up five suspensions since 2004. None more infamous than his latest which has benched him for the rest of the season and the first-round playoffs after his cheap shot on McDonagh. The suspension will cost Cooke over $219,000. McDonagh was not seriously injured on the play. After receiving his punishment, Cooke said he now realizes he has to change his style of play. Yup, losing over $200K will do that to ya.
1. Tom Kostopoulos, Calgary Flames
DATE: 1/7/2011
VICTIM: Brad Stuart, Detroit Red Wings
COMPLEX SAYS: Stuart suffered a broken jaw and missed six weeks of play after being put in the spin cycle by this vicious hit. Kostopoulous was suspended for six games. Hmmm...a blow that's a real jawbreaker? Pause.
