NHL’s verdict on Brad Marchand’s trip on Timothy Liljegren appears to be in

Fans were awaiting to see on Friday if the NHL’s Department of Player Safety was going to discipline Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand for his trip on Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren.

On Thursday, Liljegren left the game after Marchand hit him into the boards with what’s known as a “can opener” in the final minute of the first period and wasn’t penalized for the incident.

This video has been trending all day long:

Fans quickly started to criticize Marchand and demand a suspension for the notorious pest. Let’s hope they're not holding their breath. Because as fans have to admit, it is now passed 5pm ET the following day, with the NHL not fining or calling Marchand for a hearing. The feeling from pundits on social media is that Marchand won’t be penalized at all for the questionable play…

The Bruins did practice today, without Marchand, but there are no indications that he would miss Saturday’s game against the Red Wings in Detroit. Because no call was made on the play and Boston plays within the next 24 hours, it seems clear that there will be no ruling on Marchand's trip. 

The hit is likely going to shelf Liljegren “significant time” according to Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe. He added this about the controversial non-call:

“I got nothing. He just didn’t see the stick go in between his legs, a can opener, and you can go feet first into the boards in the most dangerous area of the ice.”

The NHL’s Department of Player has nothing as well, and it looks like it won’t get involved despite Marchand being the most suspended player in NHL history, having forked over more than $1.4 million in salary over the course of his career. He has been suspended eight different times and fined nine other times.

However, the play on Liljegren is just an unfortunate battle that ended up hurting the young blue liner.

While it’s hard to give the benefit of the doubt to Marchand, his actions won’t result in any supplemental discipline from the NHL's Department of Player Safety...

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