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The Star System Strikes Again |
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You can go back to Wayne Gretzky high-sticking Doug Gilmour in 1993, or Alex Ovechkin not getting suspended for numerous borderline hits over the years. The NHL continues to have a similar two-tiered system of justice as the NBA has had for stars like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.
If you just breathe on these stars, you will get penalized….but if they do something, they very rarely get wrapped on the knuckles.
The hit by Leon Draisaitl on Aleksander Barkov on Monday was dirty, it was uncalled for, it saw the Oilers star leave his feet and hit Barkov on the jaw with an elbow. The Selke Trophy winner did not return for the final 10 minutes of the game and Draisaitl was assessed a minor.
The only penalty handed out on Tuesday was a fine to Edmonton’s Sam Carrick to cup-checking Dmitry Kulikov, but numerous reports indicate that he will not face a hearing from the Department of Player Safety.
The Panthers have control of the Cup Final at this point, leading 2-0, but the absence of Barkov due to either a jaw injury or concussion symptoms (for however long it is) could swing the series. Remember how the David Krejci injury up 3-0 in 2010 swung the series in the Flyers favor?
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