It’s been a rough couple of days for the Vegas Golden Knights . After falling in their second round series two games to none against the Edmonton Oiler s, they are about to lose a fixture in their bottom six. The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Nicolas Roy will have a hearing for the cross-checking penalty he received in Game 2. The potential punishment is unknown; a Roy suspension is all but certain. The loss of Roy is a big blow for the Golden Knights.
How a Nicholas Roy Suspension Affects the Golden Knights/Oilers Series
The cross-check in question was the one Roy delivered to Trent Frederic 5:24 into overtime. Roy was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct. After the hit, Roy only appeared in one more shift. The Oilers went on to win the game at the 4:40 mark, thanks to a goal from Leon Draisaitl .
With the response on the ice, it’s all but sure that a Roy suspension was coming. The Department of Player Safety suspended Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad for two games following elbowing Lightning forward Brandon Hagel . The suspension came despite Ekblad not being assessed a penalty during the game. They have set the precedent that they will not tolerate any sort of dirty play. If they suspended Ekblad despite him not getting a penalty, the penalty could be more severe based on how harshly he was punished in-game.
The Oilers and Golden Knights Find Themselves in 2nd Round Battle
Roy has been a massive contributor to Vegas’s offensive attack. During the season, he recorded 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points. He also averaged 15:13 of ice time during the season, seventh among Golden Knights forwards. However, Roy shines on special teams. He’s both the second-line center of the power play and on the second-line penalty. Losing a versatile player like that is tough to replace.
This could be a major blow to both units, which have helped Vegas tremendously during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their power-play is hitting at 32%, tied for third among playoff teams. They also have the fourth-best power-killing percentage at 83.3%. If either one of those groups becomes less effective, it will spell doom for the Golden Knights. It will make the series deficient feel like a lot more than two games
Main Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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