I’m not surprised but I do think they could’ve let him off with two.
McJoe77
3 games for a playoff suspension for a first time offender is outrageous. Plus he got ejected which they tend to count as a game. Hockey games have missed calls here and there, not going to say the Leaf game last night was the worst or anything like that, this is an unreasonable suspension…
HoneyDillGod
Hartman was worse and got 1 regular season game, so I’m a little confused.
RickMacd1913
He deserves a suspension but 3 games is ridiculous.
Real_Armadillo_8143
Should have been 1 game. Could set a bad precedent.
Lazy_Glass_3292
This is what’s frustrating about DOPS. If that’s three, fine. But more egregious acts have received less in the regular season.
The27thWonder
Tampa Bay Lightning fan here –
and I feel like this is too much. Enough to deserve a 1 game suspension & 5 minute major? Likely –
Hockey is naturally a rough sport and watching it live (and replays of) he leaned into it for sure, and may have a history of being rough, but that specific move didn’t look overly vindictive (IMO)
Canadian__Ninja
3 games is a lot for a playoffs suspension but I don’t hate it
Roddy_Piper2000
This is about sending a message and setting the tone for the rest of the playoffs
Proper_Access_6321
I thought one or two, this is acceptable nonetheless.
No-Satisfaction3663
If the player injured was Marner or Matthew’s, would people say it was unfair?
KingBuck_413
Why the hit to the head? Seemed completely unnecessary. Game 1 of the playoffs? That’s even more unnecessary. I agree with the penalty. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt for trying to play the game they have always dreamed of playing.
Far-Two8659
I feel like he *should* be suspended this long, but it’s completely inconsistent with other suspensions across the league.
Metalsheepapocalypse
If McDavid did that the guy he hit would have got a 2 minute minor
MikaylaNicole1
He definitely deserved a suspension for this and I think 2 games would’ve been appropriate, but 3 games equates to 6 when in the playoffs and that’s excessive in my opinion.
Spiritual_Holiday511
Suspension was deserved, but the length is too much.
hummer010
Three times longer than I expected.
Dull_Lime_9996
And yet no justice for Pavelski
HanSolo5643
It’s a lot. I think if Cernak didn’t get injured I think Bunting would be getting a game or maybe two. The main issue here is the inconsistency when it comes to stuff like this.
Evening_Flatworm5850
George Parros has a hard on for the Leafs. Useless Ivy league goon himself
Kooldude777
Deliberate hit to the head, when opponent wasn’t the puck carrier. 5 games! imo
monstrege
Suspended for the rest of the playoffs
DummyThlck
It was a brutal hit and there’s no doubt bunts had intent-he’s a shit head but with no prior suspensions and this not being consistent with prior suspensions for similar hits it seems a bit much. If this is them setting a precedent then fine, but if not, this is too much.
nmck123
Crazy. He was looking other way when he hit him. No intent to injure. NHL needs a new leader.
Fauxtogca
If he hurries, he can beat the rest of his teammates to the golf course.
StreakKDP
Woof – 3 games is steep
Watch the Leafs be marginally better.. not winning better, that would be unacceptable
afinlayson
This is really bad for lightning. Their whole strategy was to piss him off so he’d get stupid penalties and give them the game.
itzpiiz
Kicking him out for the rest of playoffs seems excessive
Most-Trash3325
So the rest of the playoffs?
Clean_Priority_4651
Just right.
user3905
Too much
Skygazer24
This is really long. I have no love for the Leafs, but man this was a 1 game if anything. He’d already had a major, hit looked bad but it wasn’t intentional looking. He didn’t line him up or anything…
1 game seemed right.
LGI!
mgyro
I’m fine with it, but they better be fucking consistent throughout the series, and the rest of the playoffs. So a headshot is a 5 major and the better part of 4 games. In the spirit of the modern game, anyone want to make a bet?
jerrygeisler
Can you imagine what suspension Scott Steven’s would have received for his hit on Lindros in the 2000 ECF? Times have changed, better in my opinion, players safety should be the #1 priority.
35 Comments
He’s dirty but that’s too much
I’m not surprised but I do think they could’ve let him off with two.
3 games for a playoff suspension for a first time offender is outrageous. Plus he got ejected which they tend to count as a game. Hockey games have missed calls here and there, not going to say the Leaf game last night was the worst or anything like that, this is an unreasonable suspension…
Hartman was worse and got 1 regular season game, so I’m a little confused.
He deserves a suspension but 3 games is ridiculous.
Should have been 1 game. Could set a bad precedent.
This is what’s frustrating about DOPS. If that’s three, fine. But more egregious acts have received less in the regular season.
Tampa Bay Lightning fan here –
and I feel like this is too much. Enough to deserve a 1 game suspension & 5 minute major? Likely –
Hockey is naturally a rough sport and watching it live (and replays of) he leaned into it for sure, and may have a history of being rough, but that specific move didn’t look overly vindictive (IMO)
3 games is a lot for a playoffs suspension but I don’t hate it
This is about sending a message and setting the tone for the rest of the playoffs
I thought one or two, this is acceptable nonetheless.
If the player injured was Marner or Matthew’s, would people say it was unfair?
Why the hit to the head? Seemed completely unnecessary. Game 1 of the playoffs? That’s even more unnecessary. I agree with the penalty. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt for trying to play the game they have always dreamed of playing.
I feel like he *should* be suspended this long, but it’s completely inconsistent with other suspensions across the league.
If McDavid did that the guy he hit would have got a 2 minute minor
He definitely deserved a suspension for this and I think 2 games would’ve been appropriate, but 3 games equates to 6 when in the playoffs and that’s excessive in my opinion.
Suspension was deserved, but the length is too much.
Three times longer than I expected.
And yet no justice for Pavelski
It’s a lot. I think if Cernak didn’t get injured I think Bunting would be getting a game or maybe two. The main issue here is the inconsistency when it comes to stuff like this.
George Parros has a hard on for the Leafs. Useless Ivy league goon himself
Deliberate hit to the head, when opponent wasn’t the puck carrier. 5 games!
imo
Suspended for the rest of the playoffs
It was a brutal hit and there’s no doubt bunts had intent-he’s a shit head but with no prior suspensions and this not being consistent with prior suspensions for similar hits it seems a bit much. If this is them setting a precedent then fine, but if not, this is too much.
Crazy. He was looking other way when he hit him. No intent to injure. NHL needs a new leader.
If he hurries, he can beat the rest of his teammates to the golf course.
Woof – 3 games is steep
Watch the Leafs be marginally better.. not winning better, that would be unacceptable
This is really bad for lightning. Their whole strategy was to piss him off so he’d get stupid penalties and give them the game.
Kicking him out for the rest of playoffs seems excessive
So the rest of the playoffs?
Just right.
Too much
This is really long. I have no love for the Leafs, but man this was a 1 game if anything. He’d already had a major, hit looked bad but it wasn’t intentional looking. He didn’t line him up or anything…
1 game seemed right.
LGI!
I’m fine with it, but they better be fucking consistent throughout the series, and the rest of the playoffs. So a headshot is a 5 major and the better part of 4 games. In the spirit of the modern game, anyone want to make a bet?
Can you imagine what suspension Scott Steven’s would have received for his hit on Lindros in the 2000 ECF? Times have changed, better in my opinion, players safety should be the #1 priority.