NHL Playoffs: Rangers’ Jacob Trouba’s hits are no longer just circumstance

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba has been delivering game-changing hits that have taken out opponents in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

If this century has taught us anything, it’s that when the New York Rangers make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they are bound to make a lengthy run. This year was evidence of that, as they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, the top seed in the Atlantic Division, 6-2 in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, they will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning, the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions.

In Game 7, the Hurricanes were handed a tough loss to their lineup, as Seth Jarvis was ruled out due to an upper body injury. The fact that that happened after taking a hit from Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba is not necessarily a shock, as he has established himself as the team’s top physical presence.

Rangers: Jacob Trouba’s hits have been game-changing throughout Stanley Cup Playoffs

Early in the first period, Jarvis delivered a pass to Jordan Staal, but he was immediately hit by Trouba. Jarvis had to be helped to the locker room and was ultimately ruled out. Below is the hit in question.

This is not the first time that a Trouba hit was a game-changer. Back in Game 5 of their opening round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Trouba hit star Sidney Crosby up high. Crosby missed the remainder of the game, which the Rangers won 5-3. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan took issue with the hit after the game. Crosby missed Game 6 due to a concussion.

Trouba’s hits did not just become an issue during the playoffs. In the 2021-22 regular season, Trouba had nasty hits on Chicago Blackhawks winger Jujhar Khaira and Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon. Khaira had to be stretchered off of the ice, while MacKinnon skated to the locker room. Videos of both hits are provided below.

All of the hits mentioned above did not result in Trouba receiving any penalties or discipline from the league’s Player Safety Department.

Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant was asked about Trouba’s hits on Tuesday. Gallant said that the defenseman is a clean player and “an old school guy.”

Now, the Rangers face their toughest challenge yet in the Lightning in the Conference Finals. Those who felt that Trouba crossed the line on his hits throughout the season will be keeping a close eye on the series if it does result in a player being helped off of the ice.