Devils’ Stefan Noesen assessed match penalty for illegal hit on Sabres’ Tage Thompson

A dangerous hit led to one of the top scorers in the game leaving due to injury.

On Sunday, New Jersey Devils forward Stefan Noesen received a match penalty for an illegal hit on Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson.

The incident happened just a few minutes into the third period. Thompson was attempting to clear the puck out of the Sabres zone while Noesen was trying to keep it at the blue line. Thompson had knocked the puck away when Noesen delivered a high hit that caught Thompson in the head.

Thompson laid on the ice for a couple of minutes before being assisted off the ice. He didn’t return to the game. Noesen was given a game misconduct along with his match penalty.

The Sabres were unable to cash in on the five-minute power play, with the Devils’ Jack Hughes actually scoring a shorthanded goal instead. Yet, Buffalo was able to hang on for a 4-3 win.

While it is too early to say whether or not any supplemental discipline will be handed, across his 11 seasons in the NHL, Noesen has never been fined nor suspended.

In 51 games this year, Noesen has notched 18 goals and 12 assists for 30 points, good for sixth on the team in scoring.

It isn’t yet known the severity of Thompson’s injury. The 27-year-old missed a handful of games back in November with a lower-body injury. He missed several games last season due to both injuries and personal reasons.

In 46 games thus far, Thompson has notched 25 goals and 20 assists for 45 points, leading the Sabres in goals and overall scoring.

The Devils (29-19-6) are third in the Atlantic Division, 11 points back of the Washington Capitals for first place. The Sabres (21-26-5) are still at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, 11 points out of a Wild Card spot.