Mat Barzal grabs and holds Mitch Marner from the Isles bench; supplemental discipline coming?
The Leafs were able to mathematically eliminate the New York Islanders on Sunday night and punch the Washington Capitals' ticket to the postseason in the process. With the Eastern Conference playoff teams now officially locked in, the jockeying for seeding now begins.
During the late stages of the game on Sunday, with Mitch Marner standing near the Isles' bench watching the play develop, Isles forward Mathew Barzal reached over the boards and gripped onto Marner's jersey from the bench, slowing him up on the play.
Obviously, at the very least, that's a penalty - however, Barzal got away with it, but, he may not be so lucky once the league takes a look. As Barzal was not one of the 5 skaters eligible to be involved in the play, it will be interesting to see whether the league fines or suspends the Isles center.
Following the game, Sportsnet's Shawn McKenzie asked Marner what he thought about the play, and Marner's response was absolutely perfect.
It was Marner and the Buds who got the last laugh, as the boys won one for their captain John Tavares to effectively end the Isles' season. I'd imagine we have not heard the last of Barzal's jersey grab on Marner, but I'm sure he and the Leafs are not going to lose any sleep over it as they prepare for the playoffs.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 18 | 576 ANSWERS Mat Barzal grabs and holds Mitch Marner from the Isles bench; supplemental discipline coming? How should Player Safety address the Mat Barzal hold on Mitch Marner from the Isles' bench? | ||
| Fine him | 285 | 49.5 % |
| Suspend him | 159 | 27.6 % |
| No supplemental discipline | 132 | 22.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
