Applying the 'Torres Blueprint' to Neil's Hit on Boyle Does Ottawa's Chris Neil deserve to be suspended for his hit on the Rangers" Brian Boyle? I'll leave that for our Slap Shot readers to decide. Rangers Coach John Tortorella thinks so, and it appears that Neil's hit violated multiple rules and guidelines that Brendan Shanahan, the N.H.L."s director of player safety, cited Saturday morning in assessing a 25-game suspension to Phoenix's Raffi Torres for his hit on Chicago's Marian Hossa on Tuesday. Let's take it step by step. 1) Rule 48 - Illegal Check to the Head A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted. However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered. There appears to be little doubt Neil's hit violated the fundamental point of this rule. A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted. This was a critical element of Shanahan's decision to bench Torres for 25 games. You can watch the video of Neil's hit below, courtesy of MSG Network. 2) Rule 56 - Interference, Possession of the Puck The last player to touch the puck, other than the goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. The player deemed in possession of the puck may be checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately following his loss of possession. Was the hit late? The puck is already near the goal line when Neil made contact. Does Neil's hit meet the standard of "immediately following loss of possession"? Even if the hit had been clean, my assessment is it was more late than not. 3) Rule 42 - Charging A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner. Shanahan deemed that Torres launched himself at Hossa. Did Neil do so here? While it appears clear that Neil targeted Boyle's head, it is less clear as to whether he launched himself at Boyle. 4) Was there an injury on the play? The Rangers announced that Boyle had sustained a concussion, a diagnosis that would put his availability for the rest of the series in jeopardy. Shanahan cited the seriousness of Hossa's injury as a key factor in his Torres ruling. 5) Does Neil have a history of illegal hits? This is one area where Shanahan will not be able to compare Neil to Torres, who has a lengthy disciplinary record. The video of Shanahan's breakdown of the Torres ruling is below. Will Shanahan find Neil's hit comparable? We will find out soon enough.