Matthews suspended 2 games

[CarltonTheBear]

I do think there were enough factors that should* have kept this at one game (star player, clean history, no injury on the play, was the result of a hockey play).

*at least based off how the league usually doles out suspensions

 

[L K]

1) I agree with 2 games for a crosscheck up high like that.  You just can't do that.
2) The NHL continues to be baffling in terms of their inconsistency.  First time offenders are getting harsher punishments than repeat offenders.  Repeat offenders are getting completely different punishments for similar actions done weeks apart.
3) Based on how the Leafs have played the last few weeks we are screwed with 2 games without Matthews.

 

[rdowdall]

McDavid:  Hey Gary. Listen, I had some time while I watched my driveway melt from the comfort of my own home, and I was just wondering if there was anything you can do to slow down Matthews for my good buddy Leon in the goal scoring race.  I mean you wouldn't want me going to play in some Swiss league somewhere, would ya?  Am I right?  Am I right?
Bettman:  Oh hey Connor.  No, don't do that.  I'll see what I can do.  I'll be at the game on Sunday, so I 'll see if I can get one of the Buffalo players to help out. 
McDavid:  Awesome, thanks Gary.  That Matthews guy is a machine, and Leon is just so sensitive.  It would be really nice if he could win another award to help his confidence, what with us touch and go to make the playoffs and all.

 

[L K]

I do think there were enough factors that should have kept this at one game (star player, clean history, no injury on the play, was the result of a hockey play).

This is the second somewhat harsh (although I think 2 games is fair) punishment against the Leafs this year by Parros.

Stick infractions this year:

Dylan Cozens (BUF) - fined for crosschecking Brock Nelson from behind a few away from the boards and away from the play

Cal Foote (TB) - fined for crosschecking Buddy Robinson from behind away from the play and then sucker punching him

Marcus Niemelainen (EDM) - fined for crosschecking Kristian Vesalainen in the face/throat

Jonathan Drouin (MTL) - fined for crosschecking Tyler Seguin in the back of the head and driving it down into the ice

Wayne Simmonds (TOR) - fined for crosschecking Jansen Harkins in the back (the Spezza/Pionk suspension game)

Ridley Greig (OTT) - got 1 preseason + 1 regular season game from crosschecking a guy in the face

I think Matthews suspension is fine.  I also think the NHL has set the standard that crosschecks to the face aren't 2-game suspensions this year.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/Buds_All_Day/status/1503384503003357191
If Matthews skated 15 feet to apply the crosscheck, he would not have received any discipline. Gotta keep your feet moving.

https://twitter.com/PeteBlackburn/status/1227772873017843712
Or if Matthews targeted a smaller player...

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

there is so obviously a bias against the Leafs in the DoPS..... if the stupid suspension Spezza got earlier this season wasn't proof enough, this is. If the referees would actually call the game correctly the Matthews types of players wouldn't have to take to self defense.

such bs

I'm so mad.

 

[Zee]

I get that Dahlin wasn't doing a ton but Matthews at no point had the puck. How isn't he being interfered with?

This is what bothers me.  I thought the league said they were cracking down on crosschecking?  This whole mentality of "battling for space in front of the net" is ridiculous when the puck is nowhere near the play.  I'm all for "battles" but use your body and try to shove the guy out of the way, you shouldn't be allowed to crosscheck to gain space.

 

[ZBBM]

Meh.  That seems about right.  Complaining about consistency from the crowd that runs the NHL is a mug's game.

PREDICTION: The next two are in the bag.  I remember much less talented Leafs teams used to step up and win game when Sundin was out.

 

[bustaheims]

Quality work again, George. Right up to your best standards.

 

[azzurri63]

Quality work again, George. Right up to your best standards.

He's clueless and I wonder what the league was thinking when they hired him. Got the feeling The NHL wanted to appease the masses regarding players that suffered from concussions due to fighting and by hiring George made them look better in the eyes of fans and ex players. It's a tough position no doubt but most of the decisions are mind boggling. It all boils down to the shi**y officiating and what the league calls and doesn't call. I don't condone what Auston did. Was it bad? Seen a lot worse. If you look at the replay it looks like Dahlin lowers his head and probably looked worse than it actual was. Problem I have is why wasn't there any call initially on Dahlin and that would have probably stopped Matthews from going as far as he did.

 

[Deebo]

A pretty forceful and direct cross-check to the neck/head area should be an easy minimum 1-game suspension. There might be arguments like "well other similar plays didn't carry a suspension" and yeah while that's super frustrating I don't think getting angry at the league for potentially getting something right is the proper reaction.

It's only getting it right if it becomes the new stanadard, which it won't.

Otherwise its unfairly punishing one player.