The Hit and Its Consequences
Leon Draisaitl's hit on Aleksander Barkov earned him a two-minute minor penalty for roughing. The incident 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. Following the hit, Barkov fell to the ice, required medical attention, and subsequently headed to the trainers' room. He was unavailable for the final 9:28 of the game.
Despite Barkov's absence, the Panthers' players rallied to close out the game, securing a victory and extending their series lead to 2-0. Additionally, 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 that it did not rise to the level necessary to warrant a suspension. They did not view Draisaitl's hit as predatory or delivered with 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. The Department of Player Safety also considered Barkov's status for Game 3 in their decision-making process. Barkov was visibly shaken by the hit, but reports indicate that his health is trending in the right direction, and he appears 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 defensive efforts have also been crucial, particularly in shutting down Edmonton's star player, Connor McDavid, who has managed only one assist in the first two games of the series.
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: "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, one of the Panthers' representatives 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 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’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 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. Edmonton’s home crowd is 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.