Clean or dirty? Phaneuf's huge hit on Rust sparks debate

There was a time when Dion Phaneuf's name was synonymous with bone-shaking hits.

On Monday night, that timereturned.

Phaneuf laid a thunderous open-ice hiton Bryan Rustearly in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final.

Rust was slow to get up and was eventually taken to the Penguinsdressing room.There was no call on the play and Rust did not return to the game.

Sowas it a clean hit?

There werethose who said yes.

And those whosaid no.

Penguins defenceman Justin Schultz also left the game after falling awkwardly into the boards after a hit from the Senators' Mike Hoffman.

It's just the latest in an injury-riddledpost-season for the Penguins. Already down top defenceman Kris Letang, the team has also lost Sidney Crosby, Conor Sheary, Trevor Daley and PatricHornqvist at various points in the playoffs.

And if Phaneuf wasn't already public enemy No. 1 in Pittsburgh, his hit on Jake Guentzel later in Game 2sealed the deal.

Guentzel, who leads the Penguins with nineplayoff goals this season, stayed in the game after the hit.

Almost lost in the noise was Pittsburgh's 1-0 win that evened the best-of-seven series 1-1.

Game 3 is Wednesday in Ottawa.