The Montreal Canadiens had a tough Tuesday against the New York Rangers. As they were down 5-2 in the game on home ice, things went from bad to worse following a bone-crushing hit by Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba.
Trouba is known to be a heavy hitter and someone who always plays on the edge. He’s also earned a reputation for hitting with his elbow from time to time, and several times during his career, he has laid high hits as well.
In the third period against the Canadiens, Trouba caught Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron with his head down near the boards. Trouba didn’t hesitate before he absolutely crushed him.
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Trouba wasn’t called for a penalty on the play, and Mike Matheson, Barron’s defensive partner, immediately took exception and dropped the gloves. Barron didn’t return to play, and after the game, the Canadiens were far from happy about Trouba’s hit.
On social media, opinions were mixed among fans on whether the hit was clean or not, with some saying it was a clear elbow hit from Trouba.
”His elbow talks to him, I’m convinced,” one said.
”That elbow got a mind of its own,” another said.
”Dude literally jumps right up into his head,” a third added.
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But many claimed that the referees made the right decision, calling it a clean hit. Both Spittin’ Chiclets co-hosts, Ryan Whitney and Paul Bissonnette, agreed it was a great hit from Trouba.
”This is an unreal hit. Shoulder directly to the chest. Barron has to know it’s the Trouba Train in front of him,” Whitney wrote on X.
”I don’t believe my eyes. All aboard the Trouba Train,” Biz Nasty wrote.
Postgame, the Canadiens were furious with Trouba’s hit.
”I hate seeing that. I didn’t like Trouba’s hit. I just hate seeing it and hope JB can recover quickly … we’re just thinking of him,” Jake Evans said.
