Nikita Kucherov faces possible NHL discipline after deliberate slash on Canadiens’ Zachary Bolduc

No penalty was called on the play.

And now, the league office could step in before Game 6 tomorrow at the Bell Centre.

The incident was caught on camera.

Once the replay circulated, the reaction on social media was immediate.

It was a truly vicious and dangerous stick, the kind of play that has already been severely punished by the NHL.

Bolduc, for his part, did the smart thing.

NHL discipline decision on Nikita Kucherov could define the tone before Game 6

If he is not penalized, it will only reinforce the idea that Kucherov gets a longer leash than other players.

That’s what many fans and analysts are already saying.

And honestly, it’s hard to argue with them.

How many times does an NHL star get away with nothing?

The Department of Player Safety now has a file on its desk.

The question is whether they will act on it.

Kucherov may have avoided the penalty box on the play, but he could still face discipline (at least to send a message).

It remains to be seen whether the NHL will send that message before Game 6 or let it slide, as has happened many times before.