Video: Huge Rangers/Islanders Debate Over “Vicious”(?) Collision

 The New York Rangers - New York Islanders rivalry has reached new levels of what some would consider silliness. A “controversial” collision in Tuesday night's game between Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech and Rangers center Mika Zibanejad has fired up the war of words between the teams, while eliciting everything from rage to laughter among fans.

What did Pelech do here that was “vicious”? https://t.co/GJkc1uouqN pic.twitter.com/rvULZqb2uo

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 10, 2024

Ok, let's have another look... Did Pelech even see Zibanejad coming?

Pelech wasn’t even looking at Zibanejad. They play again in a few days. Should be good theatre. pic.twitter.com/JyRHJlU30t https://t.co/g2cDmJhxDV

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) April 10, 2024

Some have suggested that Pelech ever-so-slightly raised his arm/elbow... It's certainly up for debate. And while the Rangers were calling the collision "vicious", the Islanders, particularly head coach Patrick Roy, were laughing it off.

Peter Laviolette and Patrick Roy had different interpretations of a collision between Mika Zibanejad and Adam Pelech 😅 pic.twitter.com/hY4aUcUDAa

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 10, 2024

Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette called it "that vicious shoulder, elbow to the head," while Roy responded with "sometimes, frustrations makes you say things."

Ex-player Paul Bissonnette had the most colorful comments afterwards, saying to Rangers' fans, "are you guys smoking rocks?"

Whatever really happened, this debate will continue furiously in NYC hockey circles, at least until Saturday, when the two teams meet again. And who won't have the popcorn out for that rematch?  

I’ve watched this hit numerous times and it’s a Rorschach test.#nyr fans will see an elbow#isles fans will see Pelech had no intent to hit him and was looking the other way

What do you think? #nhl #blueshirts #nyrangers #nyislanders pic.twitter.com/YeeEvTxepk

— Big Apple Hockey (@bigapplehockey) April 10, 2024