Hurricanes incensed after Eller's late hit injures Kotkaniemi
The Carolina Hurricanes dominated the Washington Capitals 6-1 on Monday night but left the contest feeling bitter after a hit from Lars Eller in the final minute of regulation resulted in an injury to forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Here was the hit from Lars Eller at the end of the game on Jesperi Kotkaniemi #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/Y1xLCktGEW
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) March 29, 2022
"He's injured. I don't know how bad, but he's definitely going to be out," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.
Brind'Amour added: "I've talked to him. He's not doing great. I don't know the extent, but it's not good."
Several Hurricanes players also shared their displeasure with the hit.
"For me that's just so stupid. … It's a 6-1 game, one second left, and he tries to be a hero or whatever," forward Martin Necas said, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press. "I don't know. I have no words for that. It's just ridiculous."
"I don't know what he was doing on that play," said goaltender Frederik Andersen.
Eller was assessed a charging minor for the hit.