Callahan defends hit on Letang: 'He turns at the last second'

Ryan Callahan didn't intend to board Kris Letang and was happy to see him return.

Related: Lightning's Callahan assessed boarding major for hit on Penguins' Letang

So said the Tampa Bay Lightning forward after Friday's Game 1, describing the incident with the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman as unfortunate.

Callahan was handed a five-minute major penalty but was not ejected.

Still, it's expected the NHL's Department of Player Safety will take a second look with a view to potential supplementary discipline.