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Watch: Penguins’ Niskanen delivers clean, hard body check

Florida Panthers v Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 22: Matt Niskanen #2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his third period power play goal against the Florida Panthers during the game at Consol Energy Center on February 22, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins won 3-1. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Justin K. Aller

There’s the right way to hit, and the wrong way. The debate continues, but Pittsburgh Penguins blue liner Matt Niskanen delivered a textbook open-ice body check to Florida Panthers 19-year-old rookie Jonathan Huberdeau.

Cutting into the Penguins zone, Huberdeau was stood up just inside the blue line by Niskanen.

Niskanen also scored the winning goal in a 3-1 victory over the Panthers Friday.

The debate about what constitutes a clean hit or one worthy of a suspension has picked up in recent days, particularly after Colorado Avalanche forward Mark Olver did not have a disciplinary hearing with the NHL following a hard hit to St. Louis Blues rookie Vladimir Tarasenko.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock has spoken out about the hit on Tarasenko, calling it “a blow to the head.”