Cale Makar, Roope Hintz, the Avalanche and the Stars picked up right where they left off in Denver tonight, one night after Hintz and Nathan MacKinnon dropped the gloves in Dallas.
Makar drove Hintz into the corner with a hit right in the numbers, and Hintz's head struck the glass. That's the kind of sequence the Department of Player Safety usually examines closely.
Tempers were already running high. In Tuesday's game in Dallas, Hintz and MacKinnon squared off, and MacKinnon left the ice with a bloody nose.
Colorado won that one 3-2 to improve to 4-2-0, while Dallas dropped to 2-3-1. Two games in two nights between these teams was always going to get heated.
The question now is supplemental discipline. A hit in the numbers that sends a player's head into the glass checks several boxes the league looks at.
Player Safety will weigh whether Hintz turned at the last second, how close he was to the boards, and whether there was time to let up.
Department of Player Safety weighs Makar's hit from behind on Hintz
The possible outcomes range widely. The league could decide no further action is needed, hand out a fine, or call Makar to a hearing that could lead to a suspension.
Losing him would be a major problem for Colorado. The defenceman has three goals and seven points in five games and carries a $9,000,000 cap hit.
Hintz's health is the other concern. He was already helped off earlier this month after a kneeing major from Brandon Carlo, and Dallas has been careful with him since.
This deserves a hearing. A star defenceman driving a player into the glass from behind isn't excused because of who he is, and the league has to treat it like any other hit.
Back-to-back games between angry teams are like leaving a pot on high heat. Sooner or later, something boils over.
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Jared Bednar and Glen Gulutzan will both be waiting on the league's call.
The MacKinnon tilt set the tone on Tuesday. Tonight's hit might be the one that lands someone in front of the league.
Should Cale Makar be suspended for his hit on Roope Hintz?
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