The NHL has suspended Vegas Golden Knights’ defenseman Alex Pietrangelo for one game due to a slashing incident involving Edmonton Oilers’ forward Leon Draisaitl. The incident occurred during the second period of the game between the two teams on Monday night.
Pietrangelo was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for slashing Draisaitl on the back of his legs. The incident happened after Draisaitl had taken a shot on goal and Pietrangelo was attempting to clear the puck out of the Golden Knights’ defensive zone.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety reviewed the incident and determined that Pietrangelo’s actions were worthy of a suspension. In their explanation of the decision, they stated that “Pietrangelo’s slash was not a reflexive or defensive attempt to protect himself or his teammates, but rather an intentional and retaliatory act.”
This is the first suspension of Pietrangelo’s career. He will miss the Golden Knights’ next game against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.
The loss of Pietrangelo will be a blow to the Golden Knights, who signed him to a seven-year, $61.6 million contract in the offseason. The former St. Louis Blues captain has been a key player for Vegas this season, recording 16 points in 23 games.
The Golden Knights are currently in second place in the West Division with a record of 14-6-1. They will need to find a way to fill the void left by Pietrangelo’s absence if they hope to continue their strong start to the season.
As for Draisaitl, he was able to continue playing after the incident and finished the game with two assists in the Oilers’ 3-2 victory over the Golden Knights. He is currently leading the NHL in points with 34 in 24 games.
This incident serves as a reminder that players need to be mindful of their actions on the ice and that the NHL will not tolerate dangerous or retaliatory behavior. The league’s Department of Player Safety will continue to review incidents like this and take appropriate action to ensure player safety and fair play.
