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Coach Knoblauch calls out the Panthers for diving in Game 2
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Coach Knoblauch calls out the Panthers for diving in Game 2

Are the Panthers fakers?

Trevor Connors

In case you missed it last night, Edmonton Oilers forward Warren Foegele earned a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct for a knee on knee collision with Florida Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen.

Here's the hit in question:


Luostarinen returned to action about two shifts later and looked no worse for wear.

After the game Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch was asked about the hit and... well... his response said a LOT without saying much at all. Knoblauch drew comparisons of the Foegele hit to the hit that Panthers forward Sam Bennett laid on defenseman Evan Bouchard in the same game. Knoblauch alludes to perhaps some diving on Luostarinen's behalf.

Check it out:


For reference here's Bennett's hit on Bouchard:


I've got to say, I don't appreciate the way that the Panthers play but I have also seen them stay down longer than any other team so far in these playoffs. 

Thoughts? Am I off base here?

Read below for our earlier report on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov and his injury status.


Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has provided an update on captain Aleksander Barkov's status this morning, just hours after he left Game 2 with a suspected head injury.

Maurice reports that Barkov's status isn't any worse and that he'll be assessed again tomorrow. If Barkov's status continues to progress then he should be in "good shape" for Game 3 in Edmonton.

From Panthers insider Jameson Olive:


Read below for our earlier updates on last night's game.


In case you missed it last night, the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, earning themselves a 2-0 series lead.

In the final minutes of the game, Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl was assessed a two minute penalty for a high hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, a hit that forced Barkov from the game.

Here's the hit in question:


There are calls for NHL Player Safety to suspend Draisaitl for the hit, but so far the NHL hasn't made any indication that the hit is under review.

Another angle of the hit where Draisaitl appears to leave his feet for a moment:


Personally, I think a two minute minor penalty is the appropriate call for this hit. It's unfortunate that Barkov received an injury on this hit, but I don't see intent to injure from Draisaitl on this play. 

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice clearly has some feeling on the hit, but... well... I'll let him speak for himself because he's just so damn good at it:


Read below for our earlier reports on this game, published as events occurred.


It's over. The Florida Panthers earned an impressive 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. 

Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues potted two goals and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 18 saves to give themselves a 2-0 series lead heading to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4.

Read below for our earlier reports on this game, published as events occurred.


UPDATE: We officially have a Sir Charles F Bomb in the Stanley Cup Final.

NBA on TNT broadcaster and basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley accidentally let an expletive fly why live on air with Sportsnet's Kyle Bukauskus this evening.

Check it out!

Charles!

Think of the children!


Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola has evened the score at 1 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Check it out:


Read below for our earlier reports on this game, published as events occurred.


Mattias Ekholm has opened the scoring for the Oilers on their first shot of the game!


We're early on in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final and we've got a huge, potentially momentum swinging, play.

Edmonton Oilers forward Warren Foegele has been tossed from the game and assessed a five minute major penalty for a dirty knee on knee hit on Florida Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen.

Here's the hit in question:


The play was reviewed by the on-ice officials, who confirmed that Foegele had committed a Major penalty.

Source: Bleacher Report