Nazar Ejected for Head Hit on Horvat; NHL Review Possible
Frank Nazar received a five-minute match penalty for an illegal check to Bo Horvat's head late in Chicago's loss to the Islanders. Horvat left the game and was still being evaluated, and a brawl followed the hit. Islanders coach Peter DeBoer said officials made the right call, while no supplemental discipline hearing has been announced.
The incident occurred with 93 seconds remaining in Chicago’s 4-1 defeat at UBS Arena. Horvat had just scored into an empty net, his second goal of the night, when Nazar struck him in the head area with a shoulder. Horvat spun in the air, fell on his side and exited; his status remained uncertain while he was evaluated.
Several Islanders responded immediately, including Logan Stanley, Matthew Schaefer, Kyle Palmieri and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, triggering a brawl. Peter DeBoer backed the officials’ ruling. Emil Heineman criticized the hit, and Ben Pope noted the league could review it. No hearing has been announced. Nazar had scored a minute before the hit, ending Ilya Sorokin’s shutout attempt.
The aftermath may affect players’ safety and on-ice conduct discussions, especially for young forwards learning physical limits and opponents exposed to head contact. Islanders teammates and fans could feel frustration or reassurance depending on discipline. A suspension or no hearing may shape perceptions of consistency in player safety, while Horvat’s recovery could influence New York’s early-season performance. The brawl also highlights how quickly retaliation can escalate, affecting game management and broadcast narratives.