Panthers' Staal exits after questionable hit by Habs' Matheson

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Michael Matheson wasn't penalized for a hit that injured Florida Panthers forward Eric Staal on Thursday night.

Matheson stopped, turned slightly, and caught Staal up high when both players pursued the puck along the boards late in the first period.

A controversial no-call after Eric Staal was hit by Mike Matheson.@FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/kKBjvkNSEl

- Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) January 20, 2023

Staal left the game and was later ruled out for the remainder.

The Panthers lost goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to an injury earlier in the contest.

Matheson, a former Panthers blue-liner who turns 29 in February, is in his first season with the Canadiens. Staal is a 38-year-old ex-Hab in his first campaign with Florida.

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