Ryan Hollweg returned last night to the Rangers’ lineup following a one-game suspension he received after being assessed a game-misconduct for hitting Sergei Kostitsyn from behind late in the second period of Sunday afternoon’s match in Montreal.
That was one more game than Alex Kovalev received for his clearly visible forearm shiver and elbow that bloodied Hollweg four minutes before the response against Kostitsyn. Kovalev, who was not even penalized on the play, was responding to an earlier check he had taken from the Rangers winger.
“If the league is serious about cutting down shots to the head, then why wasn’t that a penalty, because I was the guy who was hit?” Hollweg told The Post following yesterday’s morning skate. “Whatever they may think in the league office about the way I play, that’s not an excuse for allowing another player to get a free shot to my head.
“I could barely get up, and when I did, I was wobbly. Everyone could see what he did. It was a cheap play. Everyone knows it.”
Before the season began, the league notified Hollweg that he was being placed on a “watch list,” for hits from behind. At the same time the league apparently decided he was also being placed on a “don’t watch” list for being the victim of illegal hits.
“Gary Bettman made it very clear that I was going to be one of the players watched with a second eye,” said Hollweg, whose suspension was automatic for having been assessed a third game-misconduct this season. “I know they have my number, I know I’m being watched, but what does that have to do with it when I get hit in the face by an elbow?
“It shouldn’t matter who it is. If I do something to another player or if another player does something to me, it should be judged on the same scale.”
Beyond that, Hollweg questioned the five-minute major and game misconduct he received for carrying Kostitsyn into the boards.
“I wouldn’t take it back,” Hollweg said. “First of all, that’s the way I play.
“Second, it wasn’t that bad of a hit at all. I don’t even consider it a hit from behind. It wasn’t hard, I was just taking him out. I’ve had the same play happen to me all year without penalties being called.”