This Jacob Trouba hit attempt on Martin Necas was straight out of the NHL Hitz video game.
Trouba went flying face-first into the boards after trying to deliver a massive hit on Carolina forward Martin Necas on Tuesday. The Rangers and Hurricanes were playing Game 2 of their Round 2 NHL Playoffs series at Madison Square Garden. It ended up arguably being the best game of the entire playoffs.
During the third period, Necas carried the puck into the Rangers’ zone with his head down. Unbeknownst to him, the Rangers’ 6’3″ defender Trouba was lining him up for a massive hit. Fortunately, Necas was able to look up and see Trouba at the last minute.
Necas surgically ducked Trouba’s hit, leading to the Rangers’ blueliner going flying face-first into the boards. The hit attempt looked like something out of a video game, not real life.
Check out Trouba attempting to blow up Necas but getting the worst of it:
Jacob Trouba went FLYING trying to blow up Martin Necas 😳💀 pic.twitter.com/rJ6BsSm38i
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 8, 2024
Icon Sportswire photographer Joshua Sarner captured a great shot of Trouba in mid-air along the boards.
“Yup, that’s me. You’re probably wondering how I got into this situation.” – Necas.
Hopefully one of the fans sitting in the front rows got the Trouba faceplant on video because that would be an all-time shot.
The elephant in the room with this viral highlight is Trouba’s elbow. The blueliner has a history of nasty elbows and appeared to lead with one here. We’re glad Necas got out of the way, or else an elbow connecting to the head could have been devastating.
Trouba’s skate also appears to catch Necas on the back of the head on the way down, which could have made the hit devastating in a different way. However, the Czech native was able to get up on his own merit and continue the game, which is the best outcome.
Necas’s ducking shows great awareness, but it also likely saved Trouba from a lengthy suspension and potentially a very harsh lesson that could change his behavior.
To pour salt in the wound for Necas, Trouba’s Rangers went on to win the game 4-3 in double overtime to take a 2-0 series lead.
We don’t mind Trouba going for the big hits, but he’s gotta keep that elbow tucked.
