WATCH: League explains decision not to suspend Bruins' Zac Rinaldo
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Zac Rinaldo was not suspended for a hit on Philadelphia's Sean Couturier. Bob DeChiara Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Boston enforcer Zac Rinaldo avoided further punishment for a hit on Philadelphia's Sean Couturier after a review from the NHL's Department of Player Safety deemed the hit worthy of a penalty but not worthy of a suspension, the league announced Thursday.
Rinaldo was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit in Wednesday night's game. Couturier was shaken up on the play and did not return to the game.
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The league explained its ruling in the following video and said Rinaldo's hit Wednesday was more of a body check than a clear, targeted head-shot.
The league also said it did not consider Rinaldo's previous history in its decision not to suspend Rinaldo, as it said a player's past history only affects a decision after the league deems a play worthy of supplemental discipline. Rinaldo has been suspended three times in five seasons for illegal hits.
(h/t NHL)
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