Raffi Torres Video: Watch Vancouver Canuck Blast Brent Seabrook in Game 3

There's a Raffi Torres video making the rounds of the sports world today, after the Canucks winger laid a punishing (and possibly illegal) hit on Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook on Sunday night. 

With just under eight minutes to go in the second period, Seabrook turned to receive the puck behind the Blackhawks' net. 

Torres saw an opportunity to deliver a punishing hit behind the net and possibly force a turnover and sped in, leveling the defenseman just as he was turning to receive the puck. Torres launched himself into the bigger Seabrook, catching the defenseman's head with his shoulder. 

The referee's whistle blew, and Torres was clearly upset with the interference call he received, while the Blackhawks seemed indignant that Torres received little more than a two-minute minor penalty for the play. 

Was the hit dirty? You can make a case that it was; Torres very nearly left his skates to deliver the punishing hit, and certainly made contact with Seabrook's head.

If you ask me, this was a questionable hit, one that merits serious review from the NHL. Torres doesn't even try to play the puck as he delivers the hit; he takes advantage of the defenseless Seabrook and lays him out. 

Interestingly enough, Torres had just come off a four-game suspension for a similar hit on Edmonton forward Jordan Eberle, and the announcers are quick to point out the risk he took delivering the hit. 

According to a report from Canadian Sports network TSN, Torres appears clear of danger, as the NHL stated that he did not violate Rule 48, which designates the area behind the net as a "hitting area."

Even so, this was a punishing hit on Seabrook, and given the NHL's recent concerns over concussions and dirty hits, the Canucks enforcer should thank his lucky stars he avoided a suspension on this play.