Kings’ Scuderi fined but not suspended for low hit on Columbus’ Chimera

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Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi was fined by the NHL on Monday but not suspended for his low hit on Jason Chimera of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.Colin Campbell, the NHL’s senior executive vice president of hockey operations and chief disciplinarian, confirmed the fine but did not elaborate.

You can see the play here, and it clearly was low. No penalty was called at the time but the league reviews plays it considers dangerous. Scuderi isn’t a goon, but he did go in low in this instance and a clipping penalty probably should have been called. Rule 45.1 of the NHL rule book defines clipping as ‘the act of throwing the body, from any direction, across or below the knees of an opponent.’

The fine is reasonable, but the line between offenses that merit suspensions and those that get a rap on the knuckles moves too often and is too dependent on whether it’s a superstar committing the offense.

Incidentally, the NHL apparently will not punish Columbus winger Derek Dorsett for apparently jumping off the bench to avenge Scuderi’s hit.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

-- Helene Elliott