Dale Hunter: "It is crossing the line. To grab his head all the time is not the right way to play."
Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference (21) collides with Washington Capitals left wing Troy Brouwer (20) during the third period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Monday.ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Capitals coach Dale Hunter says the Boston Bruins are going after the head of Washington center Nicklas Backstrom, who missed half the regular season because of a concussion.
Says Hunter: "It is crossing the line. To grab his head all the time is not the right way to play."
Asked Tuesday, an off day in the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series, whether he thinks the Bruins are targeting Backstrom's head, Hunter replied: "Oh, yeah."
Hunter expects the NHL to overturn the game misconduct penalty Backstrom got for putting his stick in the face of Rich Peverley at the end of Boston's 4-3 victory in Game 3 on Monday. Hunter says Backstrom "was trying to protect his face," because Peverley had his stick raised.
Game 4 is Thursday. Boston leads 2-1.
UPDATE: Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom to have hearing for cross-checking infraction on Bruins' Rich Peverley