NHL Under Fire as Alex Ovechkin Avoids Fine While Canadiens Players Get Punished
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The NHL Department of Player Safety has stirred up a lot of controversy during this series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals.
Let's recall that the discipline committee, led by George Parros, announced four sanctions yesterday due to events that took place during the warmup session at the Bell Centre ahead of Game 4.
As we explained, even though Xhekaj technically did not respect Gary Bettman's warning, it was really nothing major..
Anyway, TVA Sports journalist Renaud Lavoie pointed out an interesting detail.
Alex Ovechkin should have been the only player sanctioned for what happened during warmups, according to Renaud Lavoie
Here are his explanations.
"The National Hockey League went into the wallets of Arber Xhekaj and Dylan McIlrath on Monday (without any explanation), even though Alex Ovechkin should have been the only one fined."
TVA Sports
TVA Sports
On Jean-Charles Lajoie's show, Renaud highlighted a video sequence where you can clearly see Ovechkin making contact with Arber Xhekaj at center ice during warmups.
"I don't understand why Xhekaj is getting a fine.
I don't understand why McIlrath is getting a fine.
I don't understand why the Canadiens and the Capitals are getting fined over trivialities!"
Renaud Lavoie
I don't understand why McIlrath is getting a fine.
I don't understand why the Canadiens and the Capitals are getting fined over trivialities!"
Renaud Lavoie
And he adds:
Especially since in the footage, you can clearly see Pierre-Luc Dubois and Ovechkin both putting their skates into the Canadiens' half of the ice. [...]
"He has no business being in the Canadiens' territory, and yet he's not fined."
"I asked the NHL the question, and of course, they don't give me an answer.
It's a bit embarrassing [for the NHL]."
Renaud Lavoie
"He has no business being in the Canadiens' territory, and yet he's not fined."
"I asked the NHL the question, and of course, they don't give me an answer.
It's a bit embarrassing [for the NHL]."
Renaud Lavoie
Finally, much like all of us, Renaud Lavoie laments that the NHL sanctions trivial incidents happening during warmups, which have absolutely no consequences, while letting dangerous head hits and cross-checks to the face slide.
Where's the logic?
Let's hope the league can quickly correct course.
To see the footage and Renaud Lavoie's full commentary:
Previously on HabsFanatics
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 29 | 2370 ANSWERS NHL Under Fire as Alex Ovechkin Avoids Fine While Canadiens Players Get Punished What is your prediction for the outcome of this series? | ||
| Washington in 5 | 673 | 28.4 % |
| Washington in 6 | 400 | 16.9 % |
| Washington in 7 | 152 | 6.4 % |
| Montreal in 7 | 1145 | 48.3 % |
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