Leon Draisaitl, a star player for the Oilers, recently spoke out about his hit to the head of Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, emphasizing that he did not intend to injure his opponent. Despite the incident, Draisaitl made it clear that he is not the type of player who plays with malicious intent.
During Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, with the Panthers leading 2-1 in the third period, Draisaitl made contact with Barkov’s jaw as he went in for a hit. The hit resulted in Barkov leaving the game to receive medical attention but thankfully, he appears ready to play in Game 3.
The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the hit and determined that Draisaitl would not face any fines or suspensions for the incident. Draisaitl, who has never been penalized for injuring an opponent in the past, expressed his regret over the situation, stating that he caught Barkov in an unfortunate position.
Despite the Oilers trailing 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final, Draisaitl remains focused on the game and reiterated that he does not condone injuring other players. He emphasized that his actions were not intentional and that he has no history of playing in such a manner.
As the Oilers prepare for Game 3, there is speculation about potential lineup changes due to injuries to key players. However, coach Kris Knoblauch has not confirmed any adjustments yet. The team is looking to bounce back in the series and Draisaitl’s clarification on the incident with Barkov sheds light on his sportsmanship and dedication to fair play in hockey.