Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl isn’t expected to face supplemental discipline for his hit on Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, Sportsnet confirmed on Tuesday.
Barkov left the game after taking a hit from Draisaitl along the boards in the Panthers’ end with 9:28 remaining in the final frame, immediately going down to the ice before being helped to the locker room by training staff. He didn’t return.
Draisaitl appeared to catch Barkov up high with an elbow and was assessed a minor penalty for roughing.
Barkov didn’t return to the game. He ended up with 17:47 of ice time and registered two shots and one block before exiting.
Draisaitl, per Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic, thought the hit was fine.
“I don’t think that’s frustration. It was just a hit. I don’t think there’s anything dirty about it. Maybe I got him a little high. Certainly not with intent to injure, though, or anything like that,” he said.
The 28-year-old Barkov had 80 points in 73 regular-season games for Florida this year. He has added 19 points and six goals through 19 post-season games.