Does Jason Chimera Deserve a Suspension for Hit on Adam McQuaid? (Video)

Toward the end of the first period on Thursday night, Washington Capitals forward Jason Chimera was given a five-minute major penalty for charging, and was ejected for a reckless hit on Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid.

UPDATE: Friday, March 30 at 11:03 a.m. ET

Chimera will not be suspended for the hit on Adam McQuaid, per the Washington Examiner.

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According to the league, Chimera tried to minimize contact. His skates cross the goal line sideways, an indication he’d already begun slowing down.

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This is the correct call from the NHL.

UPDATE: Friday, March 30 at 12:34 a.m. ET

Bruins head coach Claude Julien said after the game that the hit by Chimera was reckless but that he doesn't think the Capitals forward was trying to injure McQuaid.

"I think, again, he came off the bench, and he was going hard, and maybe it was a little bit reckless, but there’s no doubt in my mind that it wasn’t intentional," said Julien. "You know, McQuaid, Mac just turned at the last second and, you know, put himself in a bit of vulnerable position, but still, like, I agree with the referee’s call..."

Bruins defenseman Joe Corvo thought with the rate of speed Chimera was coming at McQuaid with, it would have been difficult for him to stop.

"[Chimera] could have let up a little bit but it just happens fast," said Corvo. "I think that’s why he was so upset that he got thrown out. I don’t think he’s a dirty player, I think just with his speed it was hard for him to stop."

As Chimera takes a large number of strides toward McQuaid, who is along the end boards, the Bruins defenseman turns at the last second as Chimera makes a big check.

While it's hard for Chimera to let up at the last second when he sees McQuaid turn his body so close to the moment of contact, there was no need for the Capitals forward to come at him with that much pace. Chimera did not leave his feet, but was a bit reckless in his play.

Does Chimera deserve a suspension? No, he does not, and here's why.

• Chimera was forechecking hard and can't be asked to let up at the last moment.
• McQuaid put himself in a vulnerable position by turning at the last moment with a forechecker coming at him. The Bruins defenseman has to be smarter.
• The call on the ice was a five minute major and a game misconduct, I think that was a fair punishment and the proper on-ice call.
• Chimera is not a repeat offender

Unfortunately, because the NHL is so inconsistent in what is suspended and what isn't, it's anyone's guess as to whether Chimera will be suspended or not.

Earlier in the season, Niklas Kronwall of the Detroit Red Wings delivered a hard check on Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek while making contact with the head, but no suspension was given because the Philly forward put himself in a bad spot.

However, McQuaid does have a prior concussion history, and if he has suffered another one, Chimera might get suspended since Shanahan does weigh injuries as part of his decision making.

League disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan has a tough call to make, but if I were to make a prediction based on his previous decisions this season, I would say Chimera gets off without a suspension.

All quotes obtained first hand

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Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.