The Hit and Its Consequences
Leon Draisaitl's hit on Aleksander Barkov during the Florida Panthers' 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers resulted in a two-minute minor penalty for roughing. The incident transpired with the Panthers leading late in the game and had significant ramifications on both teams.
Barkov was controlling the puck in his defensive zone when Draisaitl came in aggressively on the forecheck, leaving his skates and making contact with his elbow to Barkov’s jaw. The force of the hit caused Barkov to fall to the ice, requiring medical attention, and he subsequently left for the trainers' room. As a result, Barkov was unavailable for the final 9:28 of the game.
The Panthers rallied behind their fallen captain, securing a victory to extend their series lead to 2-0. Evan Rodrigues capitalized on the ensuing power play by scoring his second goal of the game, further exploiting the penalty assessed to Draisaitl.
Player Safety Decision
The NHL Department of Player Safety thoroughly reviewed the hit to determine if further disciplinary action was warranted. They decided that the hit did not escalate to a level necessitating a suspension. According to the Department, Draisaitl's hit was neither predatory nor delivered with an intent to injure.
Historically, Draisaitl has a clean record regarding illegal hits to the head, with no suspensions and only two fines in his career. This history, along with Barkov's condition ahead of Game 3, factored into the Department's decision. Despite being clearly shaken by the hit, reports indicate that Barkov’s health is improving, and he appears on track to play in the upcoming game.
Key Player Contributions
Leading the Panthers, Barkov has been instrumental in the series, tying for the team lead with 19 points in 19 games alongside Matthew Tkachuk. His defensive prowess has also been critical, as he has effectively neutralized Edmonton's star player, Connor McDavid, who has managed only one assist in the first two games of the series.
Conversely, Draisaitl remains a pivotal player for the Oilers, ranking second on the team in both goals and points during the postseason. Having him available for Game 3 is a significant relief for Edmonton as they look to turn the series around.
Team Reactions
Panthers' head coach provided an update 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." Players also expressed resolve, with one commenting, "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, a Panthers' representative mentioned, "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 commanding 2-0 series lead, the Panthers aim to maintain their momentum heading into Game 3. The expected return of Barkov will significantly bolster their lineup as they look to exert even more pressure on the Oilers.
For the Oilers, getting Draisaitl back on the ice is crucial. The team needs to capitalize on his presence and find ways to generate more offense, particularly from Connor McDavid, who has been effectively contained so far. Additionally, Edmonton forward Sam Carrick has been fined $2,213.54 for slashing Florida's Dmitry Kulikov, underscoring the importance of discipline as the series progresses.
A veteran player encapsulated the mental aspect of the playoffs: "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 anticipate 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, with the Oilers looking to make a comeback and the Panthers aiming to extend their lead.