Brendan Gallagher penalized for brutal kneeing play

Now 30 years old and playing on the rebuilding Montreal Canadiens, Brendan Gallagher still hasn't lost his edge as one of the league's premier pests. Despite being smaller in stature, Gallagher has been a source of energy for the Habs since his career began in 2012. Tonight however, he crossed the line with a brutal knee against the Nee York Islanders.

Late in the second period as the Islanders entered the zone, Gallagher was looking to make a desperation check while caught playing defence, and instead jettisoned his leg into that of the incoming Islander, Hudson Fasching.

To be fair to Gallagher, the knee contact on the play looks probably accidental, supported by his immediate reaction of guilt. Even if it wasn't intentional, the play was dirty enough to garner a small scrum from the Islanders defending their teammate.

Hopefully Fasching hasn't suffered an injury that will keep him out any length of time, with the playoffs around the corner.

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