Dion Phaneuf introduced himself to Bryan Rust early in Game 2 between the Penguins and Senators on Monday evening.
On a pass from Sidney Crosby, Phaneuf caught Rust entering the offensive zone with his head down, causing quite the collision in the middle of the ice.
Dion Phaneuf absolutely levels Bryan Rust pic.twitter.com/rLUEvdQFQb
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 16, 2017
Another look at Phaneuf’s hit on Rust pic.twitter.com/M1mKu1ScFT
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 16, 2017
Rust was able to get to the Penguins’ bench, and was then immediately ushered to the locker room. Phaneuf doesn’t leave his feet on contact with Rust, which is likely why it doesn’t draw a penalty, but his elbow follow through and Rust’s head snap don’t look good.
Also troubling is Rust’s head contact with the ice, likely why he was pulled from the game with concussion concerns at the forefront of the Penguins’ mind. Rust was not on the ice again nearing the end of the first period.