NHL sends out video clarifying unavoidable head contact
In the wake of Tom Wilson's hit on Brian Dumoulin in Game 2 between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, the NHL Department of Player Safety released a video Monday clarifying what "unavoidable head contact" is, based on the league rulebook.
Here's the play:
After the incident was reviewed, Wilson avoided suspension because Dumoulin stopped suddenly and turned, one of three criteria in Rule 48.1 (III).
"In determining whether the contact with an opponent's head was avoidable, the circumstances of the hit including the following shall be considered:
"Whether the opponent materially changed the position of his body or head immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit in a way that significantly contributed to head contact."
The DoPS also released a video earlier in April explaining Rule 48, which pertains to hits when a player's head is the main point of contact.