Corey Perry butt-ends Nikita Zadorov in the face behind the play

Corey Perry butt-ends Nikita Zadorov in the face behind the play

One of the dirtiest players in the NHL is at it again.

Friday, in the first period of Game Seven, Dallas Stars’ pest Corey Perry hit Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov in the face with his stick behind the play.

[Does best Department of Player Safety voice: This is butt-ending.]

Video

I’d like to report an anonymous tip @NHLPlayerSafety pic.twitter.com/k9eubjdpyD

— Scott MacDonald (@0ffScottFree) September 4, 2020

There was no call on the play. Pierre McGuire normalized this dangerousness by calling it a “little injection.”

There is a fine line between being physical and unsportsmanlike, and this is most definitely the latter. Plays like this should not be in hockey.

"Here's Corey Perry visualizing how he's gonna stab, fall on, hit, injure the goalie." pic.twitter.com/YbhUMn1gSV

— Here's Your Replay (@TheReplayGuy) September 4, 2020

Just as a reminder, this is how Perry kicked off 2020, which happened approximately 36 years ago.

Screenshot courtesy of NBC Sports