Zach Whitecloud, a defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights, was involved in a hit that resulted in Matthew Knies sustaining an upper-body injury, causing Knies to miss two games.

Zach Whitecloud missed the last game and is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Zach Whitecloud delivered a clean hit on Matthew Knies during Wednesday's game, which led to Knies leaving the ice with an upper-body injury. Following the hit, Whitecloud engaged in a scuffle with Knies' teammate, Simon Benoit, resulting in Benoit receiving a double minor penalty while Whitecloud was cited for a two-minute roughing infraction.

Zach Whitecloud delivered a mid-ice check on Matthew Knies, resulting in Knies sustaining an upper-body injury that led to his placement on injured reserve. Despite the severity of the hit, Whitecloud was not penalized for the check after a video review, although he received a minor roughing penalty for an altercation with Simon Benoit. Leafs coach Craig Berube commented that the league deemed the hit clean, indicating there was no further action to be taken regarding Whitecloud's play.

Zach Whitecloud delivered a hit on Matthew Knies that has generated significant discussion regarding its legality. The NHL's Department of Player Safety classified the hit as a clean hockey play, despite the unfortunate outcome for Knies. Critics, including former coach Bruce Boudreau, argued that Whitecloud's hit was high and intentional, suggesting it warranted a five-minute penalty. However, video evidence indicated that Whitecloud's skates were on the ice at the moment of contact, challenging claims that he left his feet to make the hit. The incident reflects the ongoing debate about player safety and the interpretation of rules concerning hits to the head in the league.