Capitals' Nicolas Aube-Kubel gets ejected for hit to head on Lightning's Cal Foote

Aube-Kubel appeared to hit Foote’s head with his shoulder in the open ice near the Capitals’ defensive zone blue line. The hit spun Foote around before he landed face-first.

With the play under review, a skirmish occurred between both teams, highlighted by Garnett Hathaway of the Capitals and Patrick Maroon of the Lightning dropping gloves.

In addition to Aube-Kubel’s match penalty, Maroon and Hathaway were each given five minutes for fighting and 10 minutes for misconduct.

The collision left Foote bloodied. He exited the game and did not return.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper expressed his displeasure with the hit on Foote.

“Not great. He obviously couldn’t come back. That’s a tough hit. That defines the word blindside. It’s too bad we’re playing them again [Sunday] because I doubt he will be around to see the game,” Cooper said, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

The NHL will automatically review Aube-Kubel’s hit for a possible suspension because he received a match penalty.

Aube-Kubel played in his third game with the Capitals Friday after getting claimed off waivers last week from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Aube-Kubel has not gotten suspended during his NHL career. However, he got fined twice for roughing and kneeing during the 2021-22 season.