Red Wings Forward Injured After Questionable Hit From Ducks Center

An Anaheim Ducks center dished out a questionable hit illegal hit on a Detroit Red Wings forward.

Jan 19, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Michael Rasmussen (27) chases the puck in the Dallas Stars zone during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

An illegal check to the head was at the center of a recent matchup between the Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings. Ducks forward Trevor Zegras delivered a hit on Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen in the second period of their contest, forcing Rasmussen to the locker room for further evaluations.

Zegras' hit on Rasmussen did not receive a penalty during the play, but it did spark fireworks between the Red Wings and Ducks. Ryan Hana, host of the Winged Wheel Podcast, shared the clip of the hit and it's clear that Zegras delivered a late hit that made contact with the head and neck area of Rasmussen.

Michael Rasmussen hurt after this hit to the head by Trevor Zegras.

No call on the play. Rasmussen to the dressing room. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/h03Va9uqVa

— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) February 24, 2025

It's why the Red Wings responded with a few shots of their own. Later in the second period, Red Wings defender Ben Chiarot landed a cross check on Ducks veteran Frank Vatrano that drew a huge crowd. The rest of the game was a fiery affair that ended with the Red Wings earning an overtime victory.

It will be interesting to see if the Ducks forward receives any discipline from the NHL. Zegras has little history of crossing the line, and the Department of Player Safety will surely consider that. He was fined previously during the 2021-2022 season but has no previous suspensions. Still, the hit was an obvious example of interference, and the main point of contact was Rasmussen's head. It was a textbook illegal check to the head, and the league has been cracking down on these plays.

It's been a tough season for Zegras, despite the Ducks' sudden rise in the Western Conference standings. He's scored just seven goals and has 16 points in 33 games, and his descent from top scorer to change of scenery candidate continues.

After the hit, Rasmussen was taken to the Red Wings locker room for further evaluation and testing. He did not return to the game and finished the contest with just over eight minutes of ice time.

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