Islanders Defend Hits as Rangers Decry 'Vicious' Actions in Heated NHL Clash

Islanders players adamantly deny any malicious intent in collisions that left Rangers' Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck injured, while Rangers coach Peter Laviolette insists hits were intentional.

• Islanders' Adam Pelech and Noah Dobson involved in controversial hits during a tense game against the Rangers, sparking accusations of intentional harm.
• Rangers' coach Peter Laviolette describes the hits as 'vicious' and intentional, contrasting Islanders' claims of accidental contact.
• Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck, the players at the center of the controversy, both sustained injuries, with Zibanejad briefly leaving the game.
• Islanders defend their actions as part of normal game play, emphasizing the intensity of the playoff chase.
• The teams are set to meet again soon, promising a high-stakes rematch amid ongoing tensions.

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