Max Pacioretty to have Sunday hearing for hit on McDonaugh

Max Pacioretty will have to answer to the League. The Montreal Canadiens forward has a phone hearing scheduled for 4pm et Sunday with National Hockey League Director of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan for his hit on New York Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh Saturday. Pacioretty delivered the hit just over seven minutes into the second period of the Canadiens' 3-0 win Saturday night, taking McDonagh hard into the end boards in the Rangers' zone. The 24-year-old Pacioretty was assessed a boarding minor on the play, while McDonagh would leave the game following the hit and did not return. Rangers head coach John Tortorella was vocally unimpressed with the hit, venting his frustration to reporters after the game.