Flyers' Rinaldo jokes after hit on Letang: 'I changed the whole game'

Philadelphia Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo seems proud of his hit that knocked Pittsburgh Penguins forward Kris Letang out of Tuesday's game.

Rinaldo was in a joking mood after the Flyers prevailed 3-2 in overtime even though he was kicked out of the contest in the first period. He made light of the hit - where he left his feet and knocked Letang into the boards from behind - suggesting it had a positive impact on the game's outcome.

"I changed the whole game, man," Rinaldo told reporters. "Who knows what the game would have been like if I didn't do what I did?"

Related: Penguins' Johnston on Letang: 'We'll see how he is (Wednesday) morning'

Rinaldo has a history of suspensions and is likely to hear from the NHL Department of Player Safety again after this latest incident, but he shrugged off the thought of more punishment. According to Rinaldo, a suspension will say more about the state of the league than the illegality of his play.