The Hit and Its Consequences
Leon Draisaitl's hit on Aleksander Barkov, which earned him a two-minute minor penalty for roughing, has become a pivotal moment in the ongoing series. The incident occurred with the Florida Panthers leading 2-1 in the game. While forechecking, Draisaitl left his skates and made contact with his elbow to Barkov's jaw, causing Barkov to fall to the ice and subsequently requiring medical attention. He was unavailable for the last 9:28 of the game.
The Panthers, undeterred by the loss of their captain, rallied to close out the game, securing a victory and extending their series lead to 2-0. In the ensuing power play, Evan Rodrigues capitalized, scoring his second goal of the game.
Player Safety Decision
The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the hit and decided that it did not rise to the level necessary to warrant a suspension. They concluded that Draisaitl's hit was neither predatory nor delivered with intent to injure. Notably, Draisaitl does not have a history of illegal hits to the head, with no suspensions and only two fines in his career.
The Department also considered Barkov's status for Game 3 in their decision-making process. While visibly shaken by the hit, reports indicate that Barkov's 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 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, cannot be overstated.
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 Edmonton.
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."
Addressing the hit itself, a Panthers representative noted, "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 are keen 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 additional pressure on the Oilers. Conversely, Edmonton will need to capitalize on having Draisaitl back in the lineup to generate more offense, especially from Connor McDavid, who has been effectively contained thus far. Edmonton’s forward, Sam Carrick, was fined $2,213.54 for slashing Florida's Dmitry Kulikov, highlighting the importance of maintaining discipline and focus.
Concluding Thoughts
As one veteran player aptly 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 eagerly await 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.