The Hit and Its Consequences
Leon Draisaitl's hit on Florida Panthers' captain Aleksander Barkov has sparked intense discussion both on and off the ice. The hit, which resulted in a two-minute minor penalty for roughing, occurred with the Panthers leading 2-1 in the game. Barkov was playing the puck in his defensive zone when Draisaitl came in on the forecheck, left his skates, and made contact with his elbow to Barkov's jaw. The impact sent Barkov to the ice, necessitating medical attention and sending him to the trainers' room. Consequently, he was unavailable for the last 9:28 of the game.
Despite the loss of their captain, the Panthers rallied to secure the victory, extending their series lead to 2-0. Evan Rodrigues capitalized on the ensuing power play from Draisaitl's penalty, scoring his second goal of the game.
Player Safety Decision
The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the incident and concluded that it did not warrant a suspension. Their review determined that Draisaitl's hit was neither predatory nor delivered with intent to injure. Furthermore, Draisaitl does not have a history of illegal hits to the head, with no suspensions and only two fines in his career. Barkov's status for Game 3 also played a role in their decision-making process.
Barkov, although visibly shaken by the hit, appears to be on the mend. Reports indicate that his health is trending positively, and he is on track to play in the next game.
Key Player Contributions
Barkov has been instrumental for the Panthers, tying for the team lead with 19 points in 19 games, alongside Matthew Tkachuk. He has also played a crucial role in containing Edmonton's star player, Connor McDavid, who has managed only one assist in the first two games of the series.
On the other side, Draisaitl remains a vital player for the Oilers, ranking second on the team in both goals and points during the postseason. His availability for Game 3 is undoubtedly a significant relief for the Oilers as they aim to turn the series around.
Team Reactions
Panthers head coach commented on Barkov's condition: "He came in today. He wasn't worse. That's a really good thing. The real assessment will be tomorrow, but if he continues to progress, we should be in good shape."
Another player remarked, "You never want to see your captain go down, but I thought everyone did a great job focusing and got the job done."
Addressing the hit itself, a Panthers' representative commented, "I think he went in there to hit. His hands got up a little bit high. He was trying to knock him off the puck, and that led to the penalty."
Looking Ahead
With a 2-0 series lead, the Panthers aim to maintain their momentum heading into Game 3. The expected return of their captain, Barkov, will be a significant boost for the team as they look to put even more pressure on the Oilers.
The Oilers, on the other hand, need to capitalize on having Draisaitl back in the lineup and find ways to generate more offense. Particularly, they must get Connor McDavid, who has been effectively contained thus far, back to his scoring ways.
Additionally, Edmonton's forward Sam Carrick was fined $2,213.54 for slashing Florida's Dmitry Kulikov. Both teams understand the importance of maintaining discipline and focus as they continue to compete for playoff success.
A veteran player stated, "Part of that is the mental discipline to leave the game where it is regardless of the result. It's done for me. It's all done."
Fans eagerly await the next matchup, with Edmonton's home crowd poised to support their team in what promises to be another fiercely contested game. Game 3 will undoubtedly be pivotal for both teams, with the Oilers looking to make a comeback and the Panthers aiming to extend their lead.