NHL Department of Player Safety makes decision on possible 10-game suspension for Alex Pietrangelo leaving penalty box to partake in scrum
In the 2nd round of the NHL Playoffs, Edmonton Oilers' defend Darnell Nurse received an automatic one-game suspension for an instigator penalty in the final 5 minutes of a game. George Parros, the head of NHL Player Safety made it clear, the rule was black and white, making the suspension unavoidable. However it now appears, that despite a rule being in place, that Parros doesn't feel the need to enforce a similar ruling against the Vegas Golden Knights.
With Alex Pietrangelo in the penalty box time expired, as Game Four ended a scrum broke out between the 11 skaters remaining on the ice. Pietrangelo left the penalty box and became engaged with Matthew Tkachuk in a scrum. Despite the game ending, this under NHL rule is still considered to be a stoppage in play and there are rules in place to prevent a player from leaving the box to engage in a scrum.
Rule 70.4
At a stoppage of play following the expiration of their penalties, if a player or players exiting the penalty bench get involved in an altercation, those coming from the penalty bench shall be assessed the penalties they incur in the altercation in addition to a game misconduct and a ten (10) game suspension as outlined in 70.10. Should a player coming from the penalty bench ata stoppage of play get involved with an opponent and the opponent is deemed to be the instigator of the altercation, then the player coming from the penalty bench would not be subject to the game misconduct and ten (10) game suspension.
While some will say that Pietrangelo was coming out of the box to celebrate with his team, it's clear from this video that his intention wasn't to celebrate and he willingly engaged in the scrum.
Under the NHL's very own rule this play by Pietrangelo should be black and white similar to the Nurse play. But it now appears that the NHL Department of Player Safety has decided to NOT suspende Pietranagelo for his actions Saturday night.
| POLL | ||
Should Alex Pietrangelo have been suspended for this play? | ||
| Yes, the rule is black and white | 986 | 58.3 % |
| No, he was protecting his teammates | 369 | 21.8 % |
| It depends on the rule interpretation | 159 | 9.4 % |
| See results | 178 | 10.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
