The NHL will not ban Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl for hitting Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Sources told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski on June 11 that the NHL Department of Player Safety did not suspend the hit because it “wasn’t viewed as predatory or delivered with intent to injure.”
Despite two fines and no suspensions, Draisaitl avoided additional sanctions. For slashing Florida’s Dmitry Kulikov, teammate Sam Carrick was penalized $2,213.54, the maximum CBA penalties.
It happened in the third period with less than 10 minutes left in regulation and the Panthers leading 2-1.
Draisaitl lunged at Barkov and elbowed him in the jaw. Barkov fell to the ice and struggled to stand after the blow.
Barkov left the game after Draisaitl was penalized for roughing for two minutes.
Maurice addresses Barkov status Before Game 3, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice updated Barkov’s condition on June 11, one day after Game 2.
Maurice said Barkov’s condition is improving from Fort Lauderdale, FL, where the Panthers won’t fly to Edmonton until June 12 due to distance.
“He wasn’t worse,” Maurice stated on June 11 about Barkov. So that’s great. Tomorrow is the true test. But if he keeps improving, we should be fine.”
Maurice suggested Barkov escaped a concussion and NHL procedure after the hit.
“We checked some things today. Nothing sinister there. He kind of passed, Maurice said. “He felt better today. Feels nice. However, you must wait 24 hours to see if he is still feeling strong. If so, he will be a player for us. ”The Panthers coach avoided discussing his views about the hit after his June 10 postgame press conference. “It’s done,” Maurice said. “The refs called the ice penalty. The league will decide, and we’ll move on.”
Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk have 19 points in 19 postseason games for the Panthers. He’s also helped Florida halt Oilers sensation Connor McDavid, who has only one assist in the series.
Oilers’ Sam Carrick Fined for Slashing
In Game 2, Oilers’ Sam Carrick was fined for slashing Florida’s Dmitry Kulikov.
The officials called Carrick’s penalty at 17:57 of the third. After examination, the NHL Player Safety Department fined Carrick $2,213.54, the highest authorized under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The Oilers player escaped suspension and was not injured. The forward has 1 assist in 10 playoff games.
After Game 2, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters he expected a penalty for Draisaitl’s hit.
“He probably went in to hit. His hands rose slightly. “He was trying to knock him off the puck, which led to the penalty,” Knoblauch stated June 10.
