Of all the players in the NHL, Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is at or near the top of the list of guys you don’t want to get hit by in open ice.
Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone learned that firsthand Wednesday night when Byfuglien crushed him along the boards during the second period.
The Senators immediately went after Byfuglien, and they continued to chase him around throughout the game. Ottawa forward Curtis Lazar exchanged slashes with the Jets D-man in the third period, resulting in matching minor penalties.
Stone left the game with a chest injury and didn’t return.
Ottawa won 2-1, but it was eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoff race because of the Philadelphia Flyers beating the Washington Capitals in a shootout.
There will be no Canadian teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 1970.
