Pittsburgh Penguins’ Rickard Rakell leaves game after hit from New York Rangers’ Ryan Lindgren

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell left the game early after a nasty hit from New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren.

The incident occurred late in the first period of Game 1 between the Penguins and the Rangers, as Lindgren caught Rakell skating into the offensive zone with a hit to the head. The play was originally a five minute major penalty, but was dropped down to a two minute penalty for roughing.

Lindgren initially left the game after the hit as well, and missed all of the second period, but was able to return for the third and the ensuing overtime periods.

Rakell joined the Penguins at the trade deadline in a deal with the Anaheim Ducks that sent Zach-Aston Reese, Dominik Simon, and a second round pick. He scored four goals and 13 points in 19 games with the Penguins, putting him at a total of 20 goals and 41 points in 70 games this season between the Ducks and Penguins.

Lindgren is in his third full season with the Rangers, after being dealt to the team as part of the Rick Nash trade with the Boston Bruins in 2018. He has four goals and 15 points in 78 games this season. While there’s no word as to whether or not he will receive supplimentary discipline for the hit at this time, he currently has no suspension history, although he did get a hearing in January 2020 for a hit on then Colorado Avalanche winger Joonas Donskoi.