Ryan Suter seemed determined to do everything in his power to get in Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov’s head Monday night. Even cross the lines of what is reasonably physical play in a playoff hockey game.

With the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild locked in a tense postseason battle, it might have been the Dallas defenseman’s and Kaprizov’s individual battle that took center stage. And even while this was a game in the second season, Suter certainly seemed to take extra liberties.

There was a cross-check into Kaprizov’s ribs with a stick while going for a loose puck dumped into the zone:

One thing that's been talked about for several years, especially around playoff time, is cutting down on cross checking. Every year we hear it'll happen. Every year it doesn't happen. Ryan Suter's taking advantage of that with Kirill Kaprizov tonight pic.twitter.com/yXhVSHlYNg

— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) April 18, 2023

Then, with Kaprizov trying to establish positioning in front of the net, Suter hit him with another cross-check in the back:

Someone do something #mnwild pic.twitter.com/bcS9azWrjR

— x – Minnesota Hockey (@MinnyHockey) April 18, 2023

For whatever reason, Suter would not be assessed any penalties as officials let play resume largely without a hitch in both instances.

But at least Kaprizov got the last laugh. The Wild would prevail 3-2 in double overtime to take a 1-0 series lead.

That doesn’t change how NHL fans felt about Suter playing dirty and getting away with his cross-checks.