Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy wasn't very happy with a late hit that injured one of his best players.
With the Golden Knights leading Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 late in the third period, Vegas forward Tomas Hertl was sent hard into the boards by Lightning defenceman Emil Lilleberg after a breakaway attempt.
Hertl was forced to leave the game and wouldn't return. Lilleberg received a two-minute penalty for boarding.
Cassidy didn't hide his disdain for Lilleberg's hit after the game.
"That's kind of a senseless hit to me," the Golden Knights' bench boss told reporters.
Cassidy also confirmed that Hertl is still being evaluated and will get more tests on Monday. "We'll see," he said about Hertl's status moving forward.
Hertl's injury comes at an inopportune time, as Cassidy said the forward was playing the "best hockey of his career."
The 31-year-old forward had four goals over his past two games to bring his season total to 30 along with 28 assists in 68 games.
Vegas acquired the long-time San Jose Shark in a blockbuster move at last year's NHL trade deadline.
After Sunday's 4-1 win over the Lightning, the Golden Knights moved five points clear of the Edmonton Oilers for first place in the Pacific Division.
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