The New York Islanders Sunday night matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets featured a little more mayhem than anticipated.
During the early stages of the second period, Blue Jackets forward Mason Marchment tripped up the Isles star rookie Matthew Schaefer with an egregious late hit. The incident drew the ire of New York veteran Mathew Barzal.
After sending some pleasantries Marchment’s way, Barzal leveled the Jackets’ player with a vicious slash.
Here’s a look at the outrageous action:
While Schaefer was fine, Marchment was not. He lay on the ice as pandemonium broke out around him. The situation quickly escalated between the Islanders and Blue Jackets players on the ice.
When things calmed down, Marchment got the gate for tripping Schaefer. Marchment’s two-minute major paled in comparison to the punishment levied on Barzal. The Islanders’ forward got a five-minute major for slashing and a 10-minute game misconduct for the grievous hit on Marchment.
The Islanders would go on to play the remainder of the game without Barzal. His absence became noticeable, as the Isles blew a 2-1 lead in the final four minutes of the game, dropping the contest 4-2 at Nationwide Arena.
Islanders Barzal Could Face Supplemental Discipline from NHL
The Islanders forward could face further discipline from the NHL for his actions on Sunday night. The league’s Department of Player Safety will more than likely review the play. If the league determines that Barzal went too far, he could face a substantial punishment.
If another punishment serves as precent, Barzal could face a hefty fine. During the Florida Panthers-Tampa Bay Lightning game, Lightning forward Scott Sabourin slashed Panthers’ blueliner Niko Mikkola.
Sabourin got slapped with a two-minute minor penalty. However, the league reviewed the play and issued a fine to Sabourin on Sunday. The NHL announced that Sabourin got hit with a $2,018.23 fine for the incident.
As such, that’s an outcome that Barzal could face. Nevertheless, Sabourin did not get a game misconduct for his deed. The Islanders’ forward did. Thus, that situation could alter the potential punishment the league could hand down.
Barzal Unlikely to Face Suspension
While a suspension could certainly be on the table, it seems unlikely. Barzal does not have a track record of such antics in his career. If anything, the Islanders’ top-line forward has been synonymous with fair play. Therefore, Barzal’s track record could serve him well to avoid a suspension.
But it’s worth pointing out that Barzal’s slash was the second such incident in consecutive days. That’s why the league may want to shut down any further slashing incidents. So, making an example out of the Islanders’ vet could be a path forward.
More information on whether additional discipline will be forthcoming or not should come on Monday.
If Bazal does face a suspension, it could be a one-game penalization. Unless the league deems Barzal’s slash was severely foul, a lengthier suspension could be coming. Again, such a heavy penalty seems unlikely.
Still, the Islanders could be getting ready to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night without Barzal in the lineup.
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