Among the new NHL rules this season, fighters are no longer allowed to take their helmets off, under penalty of an additional two-minute minor. It's officially about safety, and also likely an incremental step in cracking down on the practice of fighting itself. It took all of two preseason games for players to find the loophole.
Before locking up for their second fight of the evening, the Devils' Krys Barch and Islanders' Brett Gallant exchanged words and helpfully removed each other's helmets. No penalty was assessed. Take that, spirit of the law!
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