Leon Draisaitl's Hit and Its Consequences
Leon Draisaitl's hit on Alexander Barkov during the Panthers' 2-1 lead resulted in a two-minute minor penalty for roughing. The incident occurred while Barkov was playing the puck in his defensive zone. Draisaitl came in fiercely on the forecheck, leaving his skates, and made contact with his elbow to Barkov's jaw. Consequently, Barkov fell to the ice, requiring medical attention, and was escorted to the trainers' room. He remained unavailable for the final 9:28 of the game.
Despite the loss of their captain, the Panthers' players rallied together to secure a victory, extending their series lead to 2-0. Evan Rodrigues capitalized on the power play that followed Draisaitl's penalty, scoring his second goal of the game.
Player Safety Decision
The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed Draisaitl's hit but determined that it did not meet the criteria for suspension. According to their assessment, the hit was neither predatory nor delivered with intent to injure. Additionally, Draisaitl's history factored into their decision. With no suspensions and only two past fines, his record of illegal hits to the head was considered clean.
The department also took into account Barkov's status for Game 3. Although visibly shaken by the hit, reports indicated that Barkov's health was trending positively, making him likely to play in the upcoming game.
Key Player Contributions
Alexander Barkov has been a critical player for the Panthers, amassing 19 points in 19 games and tying with Matthew Tkachuk for the team lead. His defensive capabilities have also played a significant role in containing Edmonton's star player, Connor McDavid, who has managed just one assist in the first two games of the series.
Leon Draisaitl remains a vital component for the Oilers, ranking second on the team in both goals and points during the postseason. His availability for Game 3 provides a significant morale boost to the Oilers, who are eager to turn the series around.
Team Reactions
Panthers’ head coach commented on 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."
A Panthers representative also weighed in on the hit, saying, "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. Barkov's expected return is a significant boost as they plan to put more pressure on the Oilers. Meanwhile, Edmonton will need to leverage Draisaitl's presence to generate more offense and alleviate the pressure on Connor McDavid, who has been effectively contained thus far.
In addition to Draisaitl’s penalty, Edmonton's forward Sam Carrick was fined $2,213.54 for slashing Florida's Dmitry Kulikov. Both teams recognize the importance of maintaining 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 anticipating 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.