We are all well aware that the Tampa Bay Lightning has faced more than their fair share of adversity over the course of the last few seasons. Whether it was injuries, controversies, or dirty plays, the Lightning have always found a way to overcome; however, I can’t say that I remember the Bolts facing a kind of adversity like they will today in Montreal.

Montreal Canadiens coach Michel TherrienMandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

As you know, Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat has been sidelined lately due to an upper body injury which was re-aggravated in Game 1 of the post-season series. He is currently listed as day-to-day, and it has been said that he will be a game time decision for tonight’s game.

However, if he does play tonight, it would seem that he will need to take extra precaution to protect himself.

Today, in an interview with NHL.com, Montreal Canadiens Head Coach Michel Therrien has seemingly advocated his team gunning for the recently injured Palat, claiming that the team “knows where Palat is injured.”

Per NHL.com:

Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said his team will need to be physical with Palat if he does play, and made a point of mentioning how the Canadiens “know where Palat is injured.””

I am all about two teams trash talking each other. This is something that happens in every sport; however, when you cross the line that travels into headhunting, there is something entirely wrong with this.

I can’t speak for everyone here in the Bolts Nation, but this seems like a rather classless move to me; especially considering all of the liberties that their team has taken in the first two games of the series. Unfortunately, when the refs allow teams to continue to get away with things like this, they continue to happen.

This may end up being a moot point in the event that Palat is not cleared to play in tonight’s encounter between the Lightning and the Canadiens; however, in the event that Palat plays and is reinjured by a member of the Canadiens squad, all eyes will be on the NHL Department of Player Safety to see if they make a move on a team whose coach so openly advocates targeting injured players.

What do you think of Coach Therrien’s comments? Do you think something should be done by the NHL Department of Player Safety should something happen to Palat tonight as a result of a targeted hit? What do you think the Lightning will need to do in order to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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