Bruins' Backes assessed match penalty for hit on Panthers' Trocheck

David Backes may be hearing from the Department of Player Safety after catching Florida Panthers centerman Vincent Trocheck with an unsuspecting, open-ice hit late in the first period on Thursday.

The Boston Bruins forward was assessed a match penalty on the play.

The hit sparked a fight between Backes and Florida's Mike Matheson. The Panthers defenseman was ejected after receiving an instigator for fighting penalty and a game misconduct.

"It's the kind of hit I've been doing for years," Backes said postgame, according to NBC Sports' Joe Haggerty. "So if this is the new NHL, the new standard, then I hope I can have my old league back."

Earlier this month Backes was suspended three games for interference on Detroit Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen. For that, he would now be considered a repeat offender.