The NHL has already set a precedent for violent high sticks against the Kings; Kaprizov was only fined $5,000 for a similar incident
Last night during the Kings/Leafs game in Toronto, Pierre Engvall and Sean Durzi got tangled up at center ice and the two exchanged slashes and cross-checks. Unfortunately for Engvall, his last shot on Durzi ended up being a shot to the back of Durzi's head. Advertent or inadvertent, it doesn't matter. That's a penalty all day long.
Engvall was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct because of it. The acting job by Durzi, who was booed mercilessly the rest of the game by everyone but his family and friends, was likely the reason why Engvall was ejected.
However, this isn't the first instance of a Kings' player receiving a stick to the head this season. Just under a month ago, in a game against Minnesota, Kirill Kaprizov and Drew Doughty got into a scuffle which led to Kaprizov deliberately cross-checking Doughty in the mouth.
The NHL's Player Safety department set a precedent after the incident as they only fined Kaprizov $5,000. As we await Player Safety's decision on Engvall, if it is more than a fine, it is safe to say that if you wear a Leaf jersey, supplemental discipline will always be worse.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 318 ANSWERS The NHL has already set a precedent for violent high sticks against the Kings; Kaprizov was only fined $5,000 for a similar incident Will Engvall receive a fine or a suspension? | ||
| Fine | 112 | 35.2 % |
| Suspension | 142 | 44.7 % |
| Nothing - Durzi just oversold it | 64 | 20.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
