The Hit and Its Consequences
Leon Draisaitl's hit on Aleksander Barkov during the game earned him a two-minute minor penalty for roughing. The incident occurred with the Panthers leading 2-1, a pivotal moment in the match. Barkov, playing the puck in his defensive zone, was approached by Draisaitl on the forecheck. Draisaitl left his skates and made contact with his elbow to Barkov's jaw. The impact was immediate, sending Barkov to the ice and requiring medical attention. Barkov was unable to return for the last 9:28 of the game.
Despite the injury to their captain, the Panthers players rallied to close out the game, securing a victory and extending their series lead to 2-0. Evan Rodrigues capitalized on the ensuing power play, scoring his second goal of the game and solidifying the win for the Panthers.
Player Safety Decision
The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the hit and determined that it did not rise to the level necessary to warrant a suspension. They concluded that Draisaitl's hit was not predatory or delivered with the intent to injure. 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 was also considered in their decision-making process. Despite being visibly shaken by the hit, reports indicated that Barkov’s 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. Barkov 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. In contrast, 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 made a statement on Barkov's condition, saying, "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 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. The Oilers, on the other hand, will need to capitalize on having Draisaitl back in the lineup and find ways to generate more offense, particularly from McDavid, who has been effectively contained thus far. Edmonton 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 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.