Zack Smith won't be disciplined for hit to Derek Stepan's head
Derek Stepan #21 of the New York Rangers tips the puck past Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Canadian Tire Centre on November 14, 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Credit: Getty Images / Jana Chytilova
The NHL decided not to hand down any extra discipline to Ottawa's Zack Smith for his blindside hit to Derek Stepan's head Saturday, a move that led Rangers linemate Chris Kreider to retaliate with his fists. Stepan went through the concussion protocol and played in the third period.
"All the contact was to my head," Stepan said after the game. He was grateful for the intervention of Kreider, who received 17 minutes worth of penalties.
Smith -- who was given an interference minor and five minutes for fighting -- told reporters in Ottawa on Sunday that he didn't intend to hit Stepan in the head.
"I'm going to let the NHL decide about that," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said before Sunday night's game. "Nothing I say will change anything, so . . . good answer? Political answer?"
Boyle sits again
After scoring to decide the shootout in Ottawa on Saturday, defenseman Dan Boyle was a healthy scratch against the Maple Leafs on Sunday night.
Boyle, 39, has played better in the four games since he was scratched for two straight games on Nov. 3 and 6, Vigneault said, but he is sticking to his plan: If the schedule is compressed, he will give the 39-year-old a breather. Dylan McIlrath stepped in for his fourth game on the third d-pair with Keith Yandle.
"It's our fourth game in six nights and I've had this conversation with Dan. I told him last night. He doesn't like it; he's a competitor who wants to play," Vigneault said. "I thought his last games have been pretty good. I liked his decision-making when he had an opportunity to jump into the attack and with the puck."
Blue notes
During a pregame moment of silence for the victims of the Paris attacks, the scoreboard showed a stark drawing of the peace sign, with the Eiffel Tower in the white circle, on a black background. A recording of La Marseillaise followed, with the French flag on the center ice scoreboard. The Canadian and U.S. national anthems ended the ceremony . . . Emerson Etem again was a healthy scratch. The winger has two assists in seven games . . . The Rangers don't play again until Thursday in Tampa . . . The Rangers were 4-1-1 in the last six home games against the Leafs.
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