William Carrier aimed a high elbow at Lane Hutson’s head during Game 3, and by Tuesday morning, many people were asking for him to be suspended.
The Canadiens lost the game 3-2 in overtime at the Bell Centre on Sunday, which means Carolina is ahead in the series 2-1.
Hutson did not leave the game after the hit. He played for nearly 29 minutes and even managed to score a goal during a power play. The problem came later when emotions ran high.
NHL Player Safety is likely going to react strongly to what many consider the dirtiest hit of the NHL playoffs.
“Did They Just Ignore That? ! The Hit That Might Force NHL Player Safety to Take Quick Action! ”
Hutson is crucial for their power play performance. He had 18 assists on power plays during the regular season and already has 8 in 17 playoff games. If he is taken out of the game, it would make a big difference.
Carrier ended the regular season with 7 goals and 11 assists but did not get any points during power plays. If he is suspended for a game, Carolina will not be losing a key player since they could easily fill his spot from the bench.
That’s the risk for Rod Brind’Amour. If Player Safety decides to suspend Carrier for one game, the Hurricanes can manage without him.
NHL Insider Jimmy Murphy shared a clip from Sportsnet this morning and made sure to tag the league’s Department of Player Safety. The officials on the ice didn’t catch the hit, but people online definitely did.
Carrier, who is 31 years old, is the type of fourth-line player Carolina pays $2 million to do jobs like this. He is there to finish checks, disrupt play, and make it hard for skilled players. The hit on Hutson crossed a line that many thought Carrier already understood not to cross.
That’s what makes the situation problematic. You shouldn’t elbow the head of a 22-year-old defenseman who just had an amazing season with 78 points and a +36 rating. Not in 2026. Not in a video that is already going viral before breakfast.
Why the Canadiens need an answer before the start of Game 4
The situation for Montreal doesn’t look good. They won all three games against Carolina earlier this season. They started the series strong with a 6-2 victory away from home. But then they lost two back-to-back overtime games.
If they don’t get an answer? Carrier will be allowed to keep targeting the Canadiens’ top young player for the rest of the series.
The Player Safety Department has not been reliable with these decisions over the years. Hockey fans recognize the usual phrases. Main point of contact. Could have been avoided. Dangerous. These terms come up often, but then they are overlooked.
Hutson’s talent is what makes this situation important nationwide. A defenseman with such great skills and speed only appears in Montreal once every twenty years. The Canadiens understand this. The league understands it too. So does Carrier.
Game 4 is the next step. Whether Hutson is completely okay after getting hit in the head with an elbow, and whether Carrier even plays in the game, will show how much the NHL is really taking its own safety rules seriously this spring.
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