Hockey’s Biggest Hits

A blog about the NHL and the biggest hits in hockey.

The biggest hits in hockey history

Hockey is a tough sport. Players are constantly hitting each other, checking each other into the boards, and throwing punches. It’s no wonder that there are always a few big hits per game.

But sometimes, a hit is so big, so brutal, and so effective that it goes down in history. Here are some of the biggest hits in hockey history:

Bobby Orr on St. Louis Blues’ defenseman Noel Picault – 1970 Stanley Cup Finals
Orr, one of the greatest players of all time, was known for his offensive prowess. But he could also lay a hit when he needed to. In Game 4 of the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals, Orr took out Picault with a huge hit that sent the defenseman flying into the boards. The Blues would go on to win the game and the series, but Orr’s hit is still remembered today.

Mike Milbury on Ulf Samuelsson – 1991 Wales Conference Finals
In Game 6 of the 1991 Wales Conference Finals Boston Bruins’ defenseman Mike Milbury took exception to a hit by Ulf Samuelsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins Milbury responded by hitting Samuelsson with his own huge check, sending him head-first into the glass. Milbury was given a five-minute major and ejected from the game, but his Bruins would go on to win in overtime and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Pedro Martinez on Craig Biggio – 2000 NLDS Game 3
In 2000, Pedro Martinez was one of the best pitchers in baseball. But he was also known for being a bit of a hothead. In Game 3 of the NLDS between Martinez’s Red Sox and Craig Biggio’s Astros, Martinez threw behind Biggio twice in quick succession. Biggio responded by charging the mound and throwing punches at Martinez. Both players were ejected from the game (and suspended for two games), but not before Martinez got in one last shot with a massive tackle that knocked Biggio to the ground.

The most devastating hits in hockey

Hockey is a physical sport, and sometimes that physicality can lead to big hits that leave players shaken up. Here are some of the most devastating hits in recent hockey history.

In 2012, Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic ran over Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, leaving Miller concussed and out of action for several weeks. The hit sparked a massive brawl between the two teams and led to a number of suspensions.

In 2013, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie was on the receiving end of a bone-crushing hit from Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry. Perry was suspended for four games for the hit, which left Barrie with a concussion.

During the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin was on the receiving end of a massive hit from Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton. The hit sparked a brawl between the two teams and led to Thornton being suspended for 15 games.

Last season, Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot took a skate to the face from Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby Methot needed surgery to repair the damage to his face and missed several weeks of action as a result.

The most controversial hits in hockey

In recent years there has been a lot of controversy surrounding hits in hockey. Some believe that they are an essential part of the game, while others believe that they are dangerous and should be banned.

One of the most controversial hits in recent memory was inflicted by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen on Philadelphia Flyers center Jakub Voracek in Game 3 of their playoff series in 2016. Voracek was cross-checked hard into the boards by Niskanen and suffered a serious injury as a result. Niskanen was not suspended for the hit, but it generated a lot of debate about whether or not such hits should be allowed in hockey.

Another controversial hit took place in 2015, when Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson was checked from behind by New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider. Karlsson suffered a torn Achilles tendon as a result of the hit and missed the rest of the season. Kreider was not suspended for the hit, but many felt that he should have been given a longer punishment.

These are just two examples of the many controversial hits that have taken place in recent years With the increasing focus on player safety it’s likely that we will see even more debate about hits in hockey in the future.

The most talked-about hits in hockey

Every sport has those bone-crunching, teeth-rattling hits that fans can’t stop talking about. In hockey, these are the plays that often decide games and change momentum. They can be electrifying and sometimes even a little bit dangerous. But that’s all part of the game.

Some of the most talked-about hits in hockey history include:

-Bobby Orr’s famous Stanley Cup winning goal in 1970, which was also followed by a huge hit on St. Louis Blues defenseman Noel Picard.

-The hit on Pittsburgh Penguins star Mario Lemieux by New Jersey Devils tough guy Scott Stevens in the 2001 playoffs, which many believe changed the course of that series.

-And who could forget about “The Punch Up in Piestany,” when Canada and the Soviet Union got into a massive brawl at the 1987 World Junior Championship? That one ended with both teams being disqualified from the tournament.

The most dangerous hits in hockey

Over the years, hockey has become increasingly physical, with players becoming bigger, stronger and faster. As a result, the potential for serious injuries has increased. Here are some of the most dangerous hits in hockey history:

Bryan Berard, 2000
In a game against the Ottawa Senators, Bryan Berard was checked from behind and hit his head on the ice. He suffered a severely detached retina and was lucky to regain his vision.

Eric Lindros, 1998
In a game against the New Jersey Devils Eric Lindros was checked hard by Scott Stevens and sustained a concussion. He missed the rest of the season and was never quite the same player afterwards.

Pierre Turgeon, 1993
In a game against the Maple Leafs Pierre Turgeon was checked by Milt Schmidt and fell awkwardly into the boards. He suffered a separated shoulder and missed over two months of action.

The most bone-crushing hits in hockey

In hockey, a hit is when a player uses their body to collide with an opponent in order to disrupt their play. A big hit can not only disrupt the other player’s game, but can also give the hitter’s team a psychological advantage.

Hits are an integral part of hockey and have been since the sport’s inception. In recent years however, there has been an increased focus on player safety and reducing head injuries As a result, hits to the head are now penalized more harshly than ever before.

Despite the increased focus on safety, there are still plenty of bone-crushing hits in hockey. Here are some of the biggest hits in recent memory:

1. Dustin Byfuglien on Luke Glendening – Feb 2015
2. Dion Phaneuf on Jarome Iginla – Dec 2014
3. George Parros on Colton Orr – Nov 2013
4. John Scott on Loui Eriksson – Oct 2013
5. Mike Richards on David Booth – Oct 2008

The most brutal hits in hockey

In hockey, a hit is defined as a check of an opponent in any legal fashion. A player may body-check an opponent as long as he keeps his elbows and shoulders down, doesn’t charge, and makes sure the check is shoulder-to-shoulder. A player can also hit an opponent with his hip or backside, as well as his stick.

One of the most brutal hits in hockey occurred on February 21, 2000, when Boston Bruins’ defenseman Hal Gill leveled Washington Capitals’ forward Steve Konowalchuk with a hip check Konowalchuk suffered a collapsed lung and was hospitalized for five days.

The most punishing hits in hockey

Hockey is a sport known for its hard hits, and players go into every game knowing that they could be on the receiving end of a bone-crushing check at any moment. While most hits are legal and considered part of the game, there are some that cross the line and result in a major penalty.

Here are some of the most punishing hits in hockey history:

(Player 1) on (Player 2) – (Date)
(Player 1) caught (Player 2) with his head down and delivered a thunderous hit that sent him crashing to the ice. (Player 2) was stretchered off the ice and taken to hospital, where he was treated for a concussion and released later that day.

(Player 1) on (Player 2) – (Date)
In a battle for position in front of the net, (Player 1) delivered a powerful hit on (Player 2), who was knocked unconscious and had to be helped off the ice by his teammates. He was diagnosed with a concussion and missed the rest of the season.

(Player 1) on (Player 2) – (Date)
With the score tied late in the third period, (Player 1) made a beeline for (Player 2), who had just received a pass near his own blue line The hit sent (Player 2)’s helmet flying off and he crumpled to the ice, bleeding from his forehead. He required stitches but returned to action later in the game.

The most devastating hits to ever happen in hockey

In hockey, there are often big hits that can leave players down on the ice for a long period of time. These are the most devastating hits that have ever happened in hockey.

1. Zdeno Chara on Max Pacioretty
In 2011, Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins delivered a brutal hit to Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens Pacioretty was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion and fracture to his vertebrae. The hit was so severe that it sparked a debate about whether or not hits to the head should be banned from hockey.

2. Roberto Luongo on Tomas Kopecky
In 2012, Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks was involved in a collision with Tomas Kopecky of the Chicago Blackhawks Kopecky suffered a concussion and was knocked out cold as a result of the hit. Luongo was given a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct.

3. Andrew Shaw on Lowell MacDonald
In 2013, Andrew Shaw of the Chicago Blackhawks delivered a hard check to Lowell MacDonald of the Nashville Predators MacDonald was knocked out cold and taken off on a stretcher as a result of the hit. Shaw was given a five-minute major for interference and ejected from the game.

4. Mike Richards on David Booth
In 2008, Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers delivered a blindside hit to David Booth of the Florida Panthers Booth suffered a concussion and was taken off on a stretcher as a result of the hit. Richards was given a five-minute major for elbowing and ejected from the game.

The most memorable hits in hockey

Some of the most memorable hits in hockey history have been delivered by some of the biggest names in the sport. Here are just a few of the most famous hits in hockey history:

Bobby Orr’s 1970 Stanley Cup winning goal is often considered one of the most iconic moments in hockey history. But it was his bone-crunching hit on St. Louis Blues forward Noel Picard that helped set up the play.

In 1976, Philadelphia Flyers’ captain Bobby Clarke delivered a crushing hit on Soviet star Valeri Kharlamov that knocked him out of the game. The hit was a turning point in the “Miracle on Ice” game, as the United States went on to win the gold medal

In 1985, Edmonton Oilers’ forward Dave Semenko delivered a crushing check to New York Islanders’ defenseman Denis Potvin that sent him flying into the boards. The hit is considered one of the most ferocious in NHL history

In 1996, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote delivered a crushing hit to Anaheim Mighty Ducks forward Paul Kariya that knocked him out of the game. The hit sparked a brawl between the two teams, and Foote was suspended for two games as a result.