8:00 PM: The Department of Player Safety made its ruling and it’s a fine of $7,812.50 for Roy, the maximum allowable under the CBA,
12:44 PM: The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced today they’re reviewing Golden Knights’ forward Nicolas Roy’s cross-checking penalty in overtime of last night’s Game 2 loss for a potential suspension. Roy will have his hearing tonight after being assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for the initial infraction.
Vegas killed off the five-minute penalty, which Roy committed just over five minutes into the extra frame. After engaging in a board battle with Oilers winger Trent Frederic, Roy lifted his stick for a cross-check and hit Frederic directly in the mouth/jaw area (video via Sportsnet). Frederic left the game for repairs but did return for a shift before Leon Draisaitl secured a 2-0 series lead for Edmonton.
Roy being unavailable is a significant blow to Vegas’ depth forward group. He’s averaged 13:55 per game in the postseason and has a goal and two assists through eight games. The 28-year-old has been the Knights’ best regular faceoff man with a 59.7% win rate. Despite his minus-four rating, Roy’s 57.3% shot-attempt share at even strength ranks fourth on the team.
In the overwhelmingly likely scenario Roy misses at least Game 3, head coach Bruce Cassidy will presumably shift Brett Howden to center and hope winger Pavel Dorofeyev can return after missing the last three games with an undisclosed injury. If not, Cole Schwindt is the only extra forward on the roster who can play center and would presumably enter the lineup in Roy’s place.
Wow was that a dumb move.
The Knights are in some trouble!
Nick’s wires touched. Somewhat ironically, the guys on the EDM side were expecting only a double-minor, which has been the usual case throughout the year. Call the 5 for review, then botch it down to a two or even nothing. Much shock ensued when the 5 was upheld, AND the game misconduct. Might make you wonder if some stink was thrown at the DoPES and Bettman for the Bennett hit on Stolarz.
Bennett deserved a suspension more than Roy. A sly elbow to the back of the goalie’s head makes logical sense to do. Roy’s cross-check, wtf???!!!!??
Heads shots “usually” incur the max penalty.
@jminn — Headshots are *supposed* to incur the max penalty. So many times this year, that has not been the case.
Id assume a 1 game suspension
That would have been the least tat they could do, but they must have taken that as a challenge to do even less. They’re completely worthless.
Pretty sad that we would not be surprised by no suspension. The NHL referees and Dept of player safety are a joke. In no other sport does the calling of a penalty depend upon the time of the game, the time of year and the score.
Any word on McNabb?
Possibly a glitch in the simulation? Hard to believe an NHL player could so brazenly cross-check an opponent in the face in playoff OT without any apparent precipitating act. He deserves a suspension, but that was some kind of bizarre accident.
I’m just glad hockey is so much safer and less violent without all the fighting
Too bad many of those same dumb mooks that did the fighting are now running DoPS. They have no business or remote qualifications to be in those positions and, when a player gets killed, the blood will be on their hands.
Just Fine