Question About the Zub Hit on Tavares

[conFABulator]

Yes, I’m a Leafs fan — and like any fan, I admit I see things through a bit of a hometown lens. That said, I’m not here to scream for a suspension or fine. I just genuinely don’t understand why there isn’t more conversation about the Artem Zub hit on John Tavares last night.

From what I saw:

Tavares didn’t have the puck, and hadn’t for some time.

Zub’s first point of contact appeared to be his elbow/forearm/shoulder directly to Tavares’ head.

It wasn't a "collision" as Zub clearly went out of his way to initiate the contact on an unsuspecting Tavares. He "chicken-winged" him as Bieksa said post game.



There was no penalty on the play.

I know the NHL’s Department of Player Safety reviews incidents like this even if the on-ice officials miss it — so maybe they’re looking at it now. But based on the rulebook, it seems like this play could fall under a few areas:

Rule 48 – Illegal Check to the Head: If the head was the primary point of contact and the hit was avoidable, that’s a violation.

Rule 56 – Interference: Hitting a player who doesn’t have the puck (and hasn’t had it recently) is interference by definition.

Rule 21 – Match Penalty (Intent to Injure): If the contact is deemed reckless or targeted, it could escalate further.

Again — not saying Zub should be suspended. But I am asking: is this being reviewed? And if not, why is this kind of head contact on a player without the puck not more of a talking point? I see thread in here on the Hagel and Tkachuk hits, the latter not being to the head or resulting in a player leaving the game

 

[dgibb10]

Zub does not move from his spot. Tavares initiates the contact (unknowingly)

 

[NyQuil]

Zub wasn't even looking at Tavares.

 

[flyingfingers]

Zub never moved from his space and Tavares skated right into him.

Zub had a reaction to a player skating into him, he did not skate into/hit another player on purpose.

Honestly it’s just poor awareness from Tavares. Know where you are on the ice.

It sounds like he’s fine, as well. Trying to sell it earned him the call from the concussion spotter, so it’s all on him.

 

[Karl Eriksson]

Just a weak hit and the player dives. Their PP is great. He’s being tactical. There was no violence there. Zub is barely moving. Tavares catches the eye of the concussion spotters and his sell job forces him to go have a quick exam. I’m sure his brain made a fast recovery. Was clutch not having him out there for the double minor. He took himself out. Zub didn’t.

 

[NyQuil]

$25,000 organizational fine incoming.

 

[2CHAINZ]

Ottawa should lose 2 1st rd picks for that.

 

[Summer Rose]

I’m a neutral fan. I think it could have been a penalty - but just a minor. As you pointed out there are several rules it could have fallen under to justify penalizing him for something. I don’t think there was any real intent by Zub.

That said, it was during overtime of a playoff game. They’re not going to call it even if it could be argued to be a penalty.

 

[conFABulator]

Zub does not move from his spot. Tavares initiates the contact (unknowingly)

You sure about that? I agree his feet weren't moving, but don't you see his arm reach out? That's the part that has me so confused on this one.

 

[flyingfingers]

You sure about that? I agree his feet weren't moving, but don't you see his arm reach out? That's the part that has me so confused on this one.

When someone runs into you, you’ll have some sort of reaction to brace/defend yourself.

Zub was not trying to hit anyone on that play. He was run into. There was zero intent to make contact on that play, on his part.

Tavares could have easily gone around him.

 

[Legion34]

It clearly should be a suspension based on hagel.

Tavares is just skating and he raises his elbow and cranks him right in the face.

Interference. Targeting the head. It’s clear. It won’t be though

 

[conFABulator]

I’m a neutral fan. I think it could have been a penalty - but just a minor. As you pointed out there are several rules it could have fallen under to justify penalizing him for something. I don’t think there was any real intent by Zub.

That said, it was during overtime of a playoff game. They’re not going to call it even if it could be argued to be a penalty.

I appreciate that. I don't think there was intent to injure, but there was intent to hit/obstruct/slow down Tavares and done so in a careless fashion that led to a hit to the head that took a player out of the game.

If it was a careless high stick without intent, they call that one. I have less issue with this being missed in real time. I am curious as to why not more discussion about it

 

[Legion34]

When someone runs into you, you’ll have some sort of reaction to brace/defend yourself.

Zub was not trying to hit anyone on that play. He was run into. There was zero intent on his part.

Putting your elbow up is not a legitimate hockey play in 2025 despite what Mike meyers wants you to believe.

 

[conFABulator]

When someone runs into you, you’ll have some sort of reaction to brace/defend yourself.

Zub was not trying to hit anyone on that play. He was run into. There was zero intent on his part.

Again, if Zub was "run into" why did he have to reach his arm out to get Tavares who would have skated by without any contact?

 

[John Mandalorian]

How do you know that Tavares wasnt selling it to get a call? He skated into the proximity of Zub as Zub was looking up ice. This is a nothing burger compared to a lot of other things.

Bieksa should pander to the Habs fan base. They have a lot of fans too.

 

[dgibb10]

You sure about that? I agree his feet weren't moving, but don't you see his arm reach out? That's the part that has me so confused on this one

He has a right to that spot and braces for the "hit". Unfortunately, since Tavares is not paying attention, he gets blindsided by said brace.

It's unfortunate, and maybe, MAYBE you'd give it 2 if you'd been calling things easy all series in terms of netfront physicality. But certainly not suspension worthy.

 

[flyingfingers]

Again, if Zub was "run into" why did he have to reach his arm out to get Tavares who would have skated by without any contact?

I don’t see him reaching out. I see his arm go up as he braces for last second contact from a player skating into him.

Tavares could have just easily skated around him. But he was watching the puck and lost track of where he was, and where other players were.

 

[conFABulator]

He has a right to that spot and braces for the "hit". Unfortunately, since Tavares is not paying attention, he gets blindsided by said brace.

It's unfortunate, and maybe, MAYBE you'd give it 2 if you'd been calling things easy all series in terms of netfront physicality. But certainly not suspension worthy.

What hit? The one he thought was coming? Tavares was skating through and avoiding contact. Zub reached out to chicken wing him

 

[Crazy Monkey]

Just a weak hit and the player dives. Their PP is great. He’s being tactical. There was no violence there. Zub is barely moving. Tavares catches the eye of the concussion spotters and his sell job forces him to go have a quick exam. I’m sure his brain made a fast recovery. Was clutch not having him out there for the double minor. He took himself out. Zub didn’t.

Dives? Taveres? Hilarious. The hit MAY have been accidental, but there was no dive. We can't all be a Tim Stutzle

Can't wait to finish these losers next game. Brady looked as desperate as their fan base for a moral victory and validation

 

[flyingfingers]

Putting your elbow up is not a legitimate hockey play in 2025 despite what Mike meyers wants you to believe.

There was no penalty, there is no review. It was a careless play by Tavares, who should have been more aware of where he was.

 

[conFABulator]

Just a weak hit and the player dives. Their PP is great. He’s being tactical. There was no violence there. Zub is barely moving. Tavares catches the eye of the concussion spotters and his sell job forces him to go have a quick exam. I’m sure his brain made a fast recovery. Was clutch not having him out there for the double minor. He took himself out. Zub didn’t.

I didn't say violence. You are going with the "dive" angle. Then call embellishment.

You are not really answering why a hit to the head on a player without the puck is not worthy of discussion and review?

 

[flyingfingers]

What hit? The one he thought was coming? Tavares was skating through and avoiding contact. Zub reached out to chicken wing him

Tavares had no idea a player was there because he was puck watching, so he skated right into the slot and into another player who was standing in his space.

It’s on him.

 

[flyingfingers]

I didn't say violence. You are going with the "dive" angle. Then call embellishment.

You are not really answering why a hit to the head on a player without the puck is not worthy of discussion and review?

Incidental contact to the head is not worthy of review.

Targeted contact to the head is.

This was incidental.

There was no penalty and it won’t be reviewed by the league.

 

[Danarqhy]

I agree OP, Corey Perry should have also been suspended when Tavares ran head first into his knee!

We DEMAND justice for Pajamas!

 

[conFABulator]

There was no penalty, there is no review. It was a careless play by Tavares, who should have been more aware of where he was.

There can be reviews on plays where calls were missed.