Jonathan Marchessault calls Devils head coach Lindy Ruff ''gutless'' for late-game antics

Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault had some choice words for New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff following Thursday evenings clash between the Knights and the Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

With the Golden Knights in firm control of the hockey game and well on their way to earning a 5-3 victory on the road, Ruff elected to put defenseman Mason Geertsen out on the ice at forward with just 25 seconds left to send a message.

For context, Geertsen is 6'4", 227 lbs, has played just 9 NHL games, has not registered a single point, but has racked up 41 PIMs. He also has 3 AHL seasons where he has racked up more than 100 PIMs. You don't put a guy like that out there in the wrong position if you're not trying to say something.

Of course, chaos would ensue in the final 15 seconds of the game, with several scrums breaking out, including one between Geertsen and Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.

After the game, Marchessault tore into Lindy Ruff for what he assumed was an attempt at retribution after Devils star Jack Hughes was leveled by Vegas defender Zach Whitecloud earlier in the game.

"I think it was some bullshit. (Ruff) was probably just mad that Jack Hughes got hit there and nothing happened in the moment," Marchessault said.

"At the end of the day (Geertsen) is the one who gave up that fourth goal, so I think it's kind of gutless," Marchessault continued. "You put a defenseman, a tough guy, to line up at forward when there's 25 seconds left. That's shitty, but that's what those older, veteran coaches do sometimes."

Ruff did not try to hide the fact that it was his intent to ruffle the feathers of the Golden Knights, and he certainly succeeded.

"We wanted to frustrate them, and I think we did because all Pacioretty wanted to do was yell at me at the end of the game," said Ruff following the home loss.

Geertsen, Pietrangelo and Vegas goaltender Robin Lehner all earned 10-minute misconducts for their involvement in the post-whistle scrums.

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