RANGERS JACOB TROUBA SPARK SOCIAL MEDIA HYSTERIA OVER MISSED HIT ON LIGHTNING’S ONDREJ PALAT.

Trouba has been called out previously for controversial hits in the Rangers postseason.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba has been praised by fans in the postseason for his tough and gritty play but those on the other side of the bench haven’t been too pleased.

During Thursday night’s 3-1 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Trouba was gearing up for a big hit against Ondrej Palat near the blue line when the veteran winger ducked the hit, sending Trouba to the boards right in front of the Rangers bench.

Social media erupted over the missed hit after a replay appeared to show Trouba leading with his elbow – a potentially dangerous moment if he had made contact.

I would never expect a suspension for a hit that didn’t connect but we all know what’s happening here. This is Trouba aiming for Palat’s brain and missing. https://t.co/kENI63Rb6P

— Steve “Dangle” Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) June 10, 2022

“Trouba Doesn’t Extend His Elbow” Ok what’s this? 😮 pic.twitter.com/gFph3l2w5n

— LIGHTS OUT HOCKEY 🎗️ (@Lightsouthky) June 10, 2022

So out of character for Trouba, too.

Usually he's able to make that elbow connect. https://t.co/NfgUpdrKoC

— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) June 10, 2022

There it is. Jacob Trouba, a filthy, predatory player, gets stuck with the minus after letting a puck hop over his blade for the go-ahead goal, while Ondrej Palat sets the pivotal screen.

I do believe there's a word for this …

— Dejan Kovacevic (@Dejan_Kovacevic) June 10, 2022

Trouba just missed on the patented flying elbow. But the way things are being officiated in this period, nothing would have been called.

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) June 10, 2022

Trouba is no stranger to controversial hits.

During Game 7 of the Rangers’ second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Seth Jarvis was on the receiving end of one of Trouba’s big hits. He would not return to the game after the first period and said he believed he suffered a concussion from the hit.

Seth Jarvis shares that the only things he remembers from Game 7, when he was hit by Jacob Trouba, are an early power play, watching a bit of the third in the back and then Jesperi Kotkaniemi driving him home.

Other than that, nothing until midway through the next day. Scary.

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) June 2, 2022

A similar situation happened in the Rangers’ first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins with captain Sidney Crosby, who missed the rest of Game 5 and Game 6.