The 2016 NHL playoffs have been high entertaining thus far. Each series has given fans a different flavor and have really shown just how great playoff hockey is. There have been extremely physical moments in these playoffs especially in round two there were a few instances were liberties were taken in the form of high hits (contact to the head). This is something that the NHL has been trying to get rid of for quite some time.
The latest hit that Kris Letang delivered to Marcus Johansson of the Washington Capitals in game three of their series. Letang seemed to leave his feet and drive his shoulder into the head of Johansson. There was also a couple of hits in the Islanders/Lightning game three as well and it has been begging the question of how the NHL can try an eliminate or reduce head shots.
There was an article in USA Today by Paul Bissonette who has played in the NHL and currently plays in the American Hockey League. He wrote that because the league is so fast and the players are quicker and stronger that there needs to be a way that can reduce head shots.
Back before the 2004-2005 lockout players going into the boards were able to bear hug so they wouldn't have to drive with full force into the boards and risk injury. It was a much safer style of play back then and you would see a lot less injury through those plays because guys wouldn't have to hit each other into the boards with full force and the bear hug was a way they could still take the man in a safer way.
Another way you could try and reduce these plays from happening in through stricter suspensions when hits to the head occur. Kris Letang getting only one game for his hit to Johansson was a joke. Letang left his feet and made direct contact with his opponents head that caused him to leave the game briefly. The department of player safety has to step in right there and make a statement that hits like that can't be tolerated.
Hits like the ones we've seen in this second round is what the NHL is trying to get rid of and by doing these two things it can help to reduce hits like these from occurring more often.
