Top insider reveals exactly why Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl escaped suspension
PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
June 12, 2024 (6:35 PM)
Photo credit: ESPN
The Edmonton Oilers were in danger of missing one of their top stars for Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals, and now we know why that never eventuated.
Game Two of the Stanley Cup Finals was a hotly contested game, and after the Florida Panthers took a lead, the Oilers biggest stars began to play the game a little differently. This was highlighted by Leon Draisaitl, who left his feet to attack the head of Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, resulting in Barkov missing the remainder of the game.
Many fans and analysts expected a suspension coming from this hit, as he clearly left his feet and directly attacked the head, but ultimately, he escaped any punishment. Now, TSN's Chris Johnston has officially revealed why No. 29 wasn't suspended.
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Chris Johnston on why Leon Draisaitl was not suspended for his hit on Aleksander Barkov:
"When the DoPS looked at this I don't think anybody in the room was happy with the hit. There was a little bit of elbow and obviously left his feet, in this case, Barkov missed half a period. But you look at where we are, the Stanley Cup Final. Ultimately if you want to look at how they got to no-suspension, it certainly doesn't hurt that Barkov appears to be healthy. And the standard does go up. The cost of game three of the Stanley Cup Final is pretty significant, and ultimately that has Leon Draisaitl eligible for game three."
Unsurprisingly, Johnston's reasoning was what many expected, and that was that it's the Stanley Cup Finals, so Edmonton shouldn't be without a big name superstar, and with Barkov likely not to miss time, that's the copout that the NHL's Department of Player Safety used. Now, game three takes place in Edmonton, and with the Oilers facing an 0-2 deficit, this is a must-win game.
Source: House of HockeyInsider shares why Leon Draisaitl was not suspended for his hit on Alex Barkov
Previously on HockeyLatest
POLL |
12 JUIN | 145 ANSWERS Top insider reveals exactly why Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl escaped suspension Should Leon Draisaitl have been suspended for his hit on Aleksander Barkov? |
Yes | 62 | 42.8 % |
No | 83 | 57.2 % |
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