Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon reportedly won't face supplementary discipline for a hit that caused Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews to leave Friday's game, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Dillon hit Matthews around the midway point of the second period of San Jose's 4-1 loss to Toronto, stepping through Matthews after the Maple Leafs forward passed the puck on a zone entry. Matthews left the game and entered the concussion protocol, but he returned in the third period. Replays indicated Dillon made contact with Matthews' head, but Johnston reported the NHL determined the head "was not the main point of contact."
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Dillon told reporters in Toronto he didn't mean to catch Matthews up high and that he was happy Matthews returned to the game. During the game, Sportsnet's cameras caught Matthews pointing to his head and telling an official "that's a f---ing" hit to the head.
https://youtu.be/G84N9IWG6HE?t=28
"I felt like it was hit to the head," Matthews told reporters after the game (H/T TSN's Mark Masters). "I saw the replay, kind of looked that way but it's a fast game, the refs are trying to make the best judgment, but I know what I felt. It's all good. We picked up two points, that's all that matters."
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Dillon has been suspended once in his career, missing a game during the 2016-17 season after slashing then-Washington Capitals defenseman Madison Bowey.
The Sharks largely have relied on five defensemen with Radim Simek yet to debut this season, and Dillon has been one of San Jose's best blue-liners. Through 11 games this season, the 28-year-old is averaging a career-high 21:38 in ice time and ranks first among Sharks defensemen with a 52.71 percent Corsi-for percentage.