Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane delivered one of the dirtiest hits that we've seen this season on Thursday, but what's worse is that he got off very easy. Not only was the hit a late one, but Kane targeted the knee of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Durzi.
In the clip below, you'll see Durzi break the puck out with Kane appearing to line him up for a hit regardless of the fact that the puck was already done. Now, it's one thing for a player to finish his check. It's another thing entirely when he extends his leg out to take out the knee of his target.
Kane was issued a two-minute minor on the play and Durzi was in considerable pain following the knee-on-knee, but would remain in the game. The Kings did not say whether or not Durzi would miss any time as a result of the hit.
On Friday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety issued a $5,000 fine to Evander Kane for the hit on Durzi, but it's just a slap on the wrist for a player who has a history of suspensions for questionable hits and a known temper. Kane could have easily ended Durzi's season with the hit. Player Safety has become a major story this season and not for the right reasons.
