The Hit and Its Consequences
Leon Draisaitl's hit on Aleksander Barkov earned him a two-minute minor penalty for roughing during a game where the Panthers were leading 2-1. The incident occurred when Barkov was playing the puck in his defensive zone. Draisaitl came in aggressively on the forecheck, left his skates, and made contact with his elbow to Barkov's jaw. This hit caused Barkov to fall to the ice, requiring immediate medical attention, and he subsequently headed to the trainers' room. Barkov was unavailable for the last 9:28 of the game, which saw the Panthers rally to close out and secure a victory, extending their series lead to 2-0. To add to the Oilers' woes, Evan Rodrigues scored his second goal of the game on the ensuing power play, capitalizing on the penalty given to Draisaitl.
Player Safety Decision
The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the hit and determined it did not rise to the level necessary to warrant a suspension. The department did not view Draisaitl's hit as predatory or delivered with intent to injure. Notably, Draisaitl does not have a significant history of illegal hits to the head, with no suspensions and only two fines in his career. The Department of Player Safety also considered Barkov's status for Game 3 in their decision-making process. Although Barkov was visibly shaken by the hit, reports indicated his health was trending in the right direction, and he appeared 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. His presence on the ice has played a crucial role in shutting down 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 in the postseason. Having him available for Game 3 is a significant relief for the Oilers.
Team Reactions
Panthers head coach expressed measured optimism regarding Barkov's condition, stating, "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 Panthers 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 look to maintain their momentum heading into Game 3. Barkov's expected return will be a significant boost for the team as they aim to put even more pressure on the Oilers. Conversely, the Oilers will need to capitalize on Draisaitl’s availability and find ways to generate more offense, particularly from McDavid, who has been effectively contained thus far. Additionally, Edmonton's forward Sam Carrick was fined $2,213.54 for slashing Florida's Dmitry Kulikov, underlining the importance of maintaining discipline throughout the series.
Both teams understand the significance of focus and discipline as they vie for playoff success. As one veteran player put it, "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 are eagerly awaiting 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.