Rangers’ Coach Peter Laviolette Expresses Anger over ‘Vicious’ Hits in Defeat against Islanders

The New York Rangers’ head coach, Peter Laviolette, expressed his anger over what he called “vicious” hits in their recent defeat against the New York Islanders. Laviolette had never been as livid after a game in his first year as the Rangers’ bench boss. His frustration stemmed from a collision between Mika Zibanejad and Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech in the third period that knocked Zibanejad out of the game temporarily. Laviolette believed the hit was intentional and criticized the Islanders’ overall play throughout the game.

Laviolette’s anger grew when asked about another hit, this time by Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson on Vincent Trocheck. He described both hits as vicious and expressed his disappointment in the Islanders’ play. Laviolette believed that his team dominated the game, especially in the second and third periods, despite the challenges they faced.

On the other side, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy seemed surprised by the questions regarding the incidents. He defended Pelech, stating that the collision with Zibanejad was accidental and that referee Kelly Sutherland confirmed it right away. Roy believed it was a waste of time to continue debating the incident due to frustration.

The Rangers found themselves under pressure in the opening 20 minutes as the Islanders took a quick 3-0 lead. However, the Islanders’ three consecutive penalties in the second period allowed the Rangers to pull within two goals through power-play goals from Chris Kreider and Adam Fox. Ultimately, Anders Lee sealed the victory for the Islanders with an empty-net goal.

This defeat has significant implications for both teams as they are potential first-round playoff opponents. Additionally, they have one more regular-season meeting in four days, adding further intensity to their rivalry.

Overall, Laviolette’s anger over the “vicious” hits in their defeat against the Islanders highlights the physicality and intensity of their matchup. The Rangers’ coach firmly believes that his team dominated the game despite the challenges they faced. The upcoming rematch between these two teams will undoubtedly be filled with anticipation and excitement as they battle for playoff positioning.