Leon Draisaitl Justifies Unintentional Collision with Aleksander Barkov Amid Suspension

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Leon Draisaitl of the Oilers has shown regret for his hit on Aleksander Barkov, the Panthers' captain, and insists there was no bad intention behind his action.

Draisaitl emphasizes that he is not known for trying to hurt other players and has no past incidents suggesting otherwise.

In Game 2, Draisaitl's elbow struck Barkov in the head during a forecheck, leading to Barkov's injury and subsequent absence from the remainder of the game.

The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the hit and decided it did not warrant a suspension, issuing Draisaitl just a two-minute minor penalty for roughing.

Barkov is anticipated to participate in Game 3 after fully engaging in Panthers' practice sessions.

He has played a key role in limiting the impact of Connor McDavid, the Oilers' star, who has managed only one assist over the first two games of the series.

Draisaitl affirms once more that causing injuries is not something he seeks out and concedes that his hit on Barkov was unfortunate.

With the Oilers trailing 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final, they might opt for a lineup consisting of 11 forwards and 7 defensemen due to the injuries of Evander Kane and Darnell Nurse.

Related Links

• Florida Panthers News & Updates
• Florida Panthers Schedule & Scores
• Edmonton Oilers News & Updates
• Edmonton Oilers Schedule & Scores
• NHL News