On X, insiders leaked the NHL's decision about Leon Draisaitl's possible suspension for his dirty hit on Aleksander Barkov last night.
In the second game of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, Draisaitl sent Aleksander Barkov to the locker room with the following hit:
"Leon Draisaitl leaves his feet to hit Barkov in the head"
He got a two-minute penalty on the play, but since then, a lot of people have been calling for the NHL to suspend him, as he clearly attempted to injure him:
"This has to be worth at least a game suspension for Draisaitl. That's some textbook intent to injure."
According to insiders Renaud Lavoie and David Pagnotta, the NHL won't suspend Draisaitl:
"Don't expect Leon Draisaitl to be suspended for his hit on Aleksander Barkov."
"It doesn't sound like we'll see any significant discipline coming for Leon Draisaitl on last night's hit on Aleksander Barkov."
The Oilers will need Draisaitl on the ice, and at the top of his form if they hope to bounce back from two tough losses in Florida.
As for the Panthers, they'll hope for the best as they move forward, but containing Connor McDavid without Barkov will be a tough challenge. Updates on his health are expected, and we'll keep you in the loop.