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Unfortunately, double standards are a way of life. But come ride with me for a moment to the world of hypotheticals.
It’s late in a game where the Oilers have a 3-1 lead on the Panthers, and Panthers superstar Aaron Ekblad leaves his feet to lay a hit on Oilers captain Connor McDavid. In the process, he leads with his elbow and connects directly with McDavid’s head, sending him off the ice injured.
You can see the news cycle and half of Canada erupting from here as everyone rallies to have Ekblad suspended for the rest of the series and into the 2024-25 regular season for such a heinous act. And it would be deserved, too. A harsh punishment would be well-earned.
I’m not going to insult you by asking, “What’s the difference between McDavid and Barkov,” because there’s obviously a difference. But in the scope of the teams, roles, and usage of the players, there isn’t a difference. Barkov is the Panthers’ captain, and his role, on top of driving their top line to generate offense, is to lead the way in shutting down the Oilers’ top scorers…which he’s helped do effectively through two games.
You cannot argue that Draisaitl was just trying to lay a regular hit. He was trying to lay a huge hit on the Panthers’ best player, who has kept hhim and his teammates off the board through two games, and he accomplished that goal. He also did it in slimy fashion by leaving his feet and leading with his forearm. Draisaitl probably wanted to hit Barkov high, even if he didn’t mean to hit him in the head.
But he did. And that’s what happens when players get reckless and look to send a message of sorts.
If you throw the playoff version of the book at Draisaitl, it’s rather inarguable to do so. The old equation is one playoff game equals two regular-season games. A one-game suspension checks out for a guy without a history.
But if the NHL lets it go with a slap on the wrist (or nothing at all), that may essentially make it open season on anyone, star or otherwise. That’s not the standard the league should be looking to set.
