Both hits deserved to be reviewed, both suspendable in my opinion. Both equally dangerous for different reasons.
I've been saying it for a long time, the NHL is the only league in the world that doesn't protect it's Stars in terms of fair play (dangerous hits, holding, interference etc) and also in terms of punishment. It's always been this way. Players go down and there is a call, he stays on his feet there isn't. Only does the NHL wait to see if a guy is injured or shaken up before penalizing.
I grew up watching tough hockey, I loved the stuff as a young man. As one ages, they learn to appreciate the beauty of the game and they also understand the body has limits. I prefer a clean game, almost, gasp, a European game now as it shows the beauty. As an athlete and active guy most of my life, I understand playing a sport hard, but, clean is key. That's why there are rules.
I am fine with clean checking and tough plays on the puck, but the interference, stick work (really, grown men hitting, hacking others with a stick, wtf is this?), hits to the head and dirty stuff needs to be dealt with harshly. The old standard that allowed guys like Scott Stevens to pummel guys is no longer allowed. I've seen Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros, Pat Lafontaine, Marc Savard, just to name a few, who were hit in dangerous situations, with little regard for their health. They paid a steep price, so did the fans and the game lose their contributions.
I don't care if it is Hyman, Matthews, or any Leaf player dishing it out, this garbage has to end, it's not a joke to have careers and even lives destroyed by violent, sometimes dirty hits.I am willing to bet that Hyman knows his hit was a bad hit. Just own up to it and don't repeat it. For this reason alone, I hope he just sits and doesn't appeal it.
Refs need to call the game, I don't care if a team has 12 Power Plays, I really don't. I don't care if Don Cherry cries about it for the entire season, call the game right and players better understand it could be THEM next getting hit. I simply don't want this to be the "entertainment".