Let's see what Player Safety has to say about this one: Kane cross-checks Pietrangelo in the face

The Leafs are, thankfully, not playing until Wednesday. I say thankfully, because it will allow the temperature to cool off a bit after an abysmal effort in Game 3. As we await their inevitable exit from these playoffs, let's take a look at the other Canadian team still in the hunt for Lord Stanley's mug. Game 3 of the Oilers and Golden Knights was set to be a hotly contested game. After dropping Game 1, the Oilers offence exploded in Game 2, leading them to a 5-1 victory to even the series.

During Monday's Game 3, the Oilers struck first on a goal from Warren Foegle, but Jonathan Marchessault scored twice before the period ended to put Vegas ahead 2-1. With the final seconds of the first period ticking off the clock, Evander Kane aggressively pursued Alex Pietrangelo, who was holding onto the puck until the horn sounded. As it did, Kane threw a vicious and uncalled for cross check into the face/neck of the Golden Knights' defender. Kane was assessed a 2 minute minor for cross checking on the play.


There will almost certainly be some sort of retribution coming to Evander Kane from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. The bar for crosschecks to the head and neck has been set already in these playoffs. Both Sam Lafferty and Sam Bennett received fines for similar incidents. In all honesty, it's not enough in this case. This was premeditated and done deliberately. Kane should be facing a suspension, especially given his history, but with the incompetence we've seen from George Parros in these playoffs, I highly doubt he will.