Watch: Canadiens’ Alexei Emelin lays big hit on Blues’ Paul Stastny

Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin laid an old-school body check on Paul Stastny during Saturday’s game.

During Saturday’s game between the Canadiens and Blues in St. Louis, Montreal defenseman Alexei Emelin laid an old-school body check on Blues center Paul Stastny.

With Stastny carrying the puck through the neutral zone at the 15:57 mark of the second period, Emelin rocked him with this huge hit.

Alexei Emelin just OBLITERATED Paul Stastny. What a great hit! #stlblues #Habs pic.twitter.com/uBm2lYaAXf

— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) January 17, 2016

• Watch: Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron beats Leafs goalie Bernier on breakaway

The Blues immediately took exception to the hit, which took place right in front of their bench, and Alex Pietrangelo’s retaliation received a penalty. Since the hit was deemed legal, all the retaliation did was put Montreal on a power play.

- Nate Mata