Ottawa’s Borowiecki to be evaluated for concussion

NEW YORK – Well, here’s the good news after the hit heard around New York.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Mark Borowiecki was walking and talking fine as he left Madison Square Garden following the Senators’ 3-0 loss to the New York Rangers late Sunday. The nasty third period collision with the Rangers’ Brendan Smith momentarily left Borowiecki unconscious on the ice.

Now, here comes the unknown. While there st of the Senators had a day off in New York on Monday before flying on to Washington for Wednesday’ s game in Washington, Borowiecki flew back to Ottawa.

He will be further evaluated for what coach Guy Boucher described as a concussion.

“That’s a hit (where Borowiecki) doesn’t have the puck,” said Boucher. “That’s one of the most dangerous hits you can make in hockey.”

Senators captain Erik Karlsson says it was frightening to watch, suggesting fatigue could have been an issue.

“He’s a defenceman, being up there (forechecking), if that had been earlier in the game, it might have been different ,” said K ar ls son. “Hopefully, it was not the intention (for Smith) to hurt him. Whether it’s someone from our team or someone else, it’s not fun to see and those are the things we hope to avoid.”

Fellow defence man Dion Phaneuf didn’t want to pass judgement on the legality of the hit, but says the whole episode was difficult to watch.

“When you see a team mate lying there, it’s gut-wrenching. I’m just happy he was able to get up.”

Borowiecki has already missed seven games this season for an upper body injury and a personal health issue.

Smith’s reaction

Smith received a five-minute major penalty for interference on the play and was thrown out of the game.

“I think (the penalty) was a bit harsh ,” Smith told reporters following the game .“I’ m OK with two minutes.”

“We made eye contact and he was expecting to get hit. He’ s a pretty big guy, a strong guy. I kind of just connected with my shoulder. You see thoseplayshappenallthetime.It’s just unfortunate — the outcome. You don’t want to see anyone get hurt. Hopefully, he’ll be OK.”

Smith’s history

Further discipline for Smith is unlikely, but he does have a track record. Back when he was playing with the Detroit Red Wings in September 2011, he received an eight-game suspension( threep reseason games, five regular season games) for a hit to the head of Ben Smith of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Enter Harpur

Ben Harpur, who played in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Arizona but was a healthy scratch Sunday, will take Bo rowie ck i’ s spot in the lineup against Washington. If the Senators recall another defenceman from Belleville of the AHL, it will likely happen late Tuesday. Belleville plays Charlotte Tuesday night.

Rangers game post-script

According to nhl.com, Mike Hoffman is tied for second in the league by hitting the post four times (two crossbars, two posts), trailing Tyler Seguin (five) of the Dallas Stars. Sure seems like he has more. He bounced one off the shoulder of Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundq vista nd off the post Sunday, but the one that had Hoffman shaking his head was Lundqv is t’ s sliding two-pad stack late in the first period on a two-on-one break with De rick Brassard. “I did what I wanted to do,” said Hoffman. Lundqvist’s reaction? “That’s old school right there.” … Hoffman hit nine posts last season and led the NHL with 11 in 2015-16… Leading up to Sunday’ s game, Senators coach Guy Boucher said he dressed 12 forwards because he didn’t want to overtax anyone. Then he gave Nick Paul only 10 shifts and 7:57 and Chris DiDomenico 11 shifts and 7:17.