Predators forward Tommy Novak decided to break one of the unwritten rules of hockey and had to pay the price for his actions.
Novak Breaks Unwritten Rule: Chaos Ensues
Last night the Washington Capitals faced off against the Nashville Predators in what was a tight game for most of the night. The Predators were up 3-1 late in the third period and were looking to add on a fourth goal. As the clock expired, forward Tommy Novak tried to net a goal and put the puck in after the clock expired. The Capitals were infuriated with this and decided to retaliate.
At the end of Preds vs Caps, Nick Jensen slewfooted/tripped Tommy Novak just as time expired. Retaliation for Novak sending the puck into the Washington net.
Seems like Novak is fine, but retaliating like this with zeroes on the clock should never be ok in this league.
While Novak broke an unwritten rule, the slew foot from Jensen was incredibly dangerous and could have seriously injured Novak. There is no word on whether there will be a fine or a suspension for Jensen but there is a chance he will receive one.
Novak's Underrated Production
Last year Tommy Novak proved to be one of the most efficient players in the league. In his sophomore NHL season as a 25-year-old, Novak exploded with 17 goals and 43 points in 51 games. These are 27-goal and 69-point paces which is phenomenal.
While one of the most under-the-radar players in the league, Novak proved he could hang with the best. This year he has taken a slight step back with 13 points in 20 games but he is still producing like a player who will stay in the NHL for years to come.
