NHL offers weak justification for Larkin suspension while Mathieu Joseph gets off scot-free

The Detroit Red Wings will be without captain Dylan Larkin for at least one game, as he was suspended by the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety this afternoon for tomorrow night's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks at Little Caesars Arena. 

Larkin, who missed the last chunk of games last season after suffering a neck injury thanks to a dirty spear from Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn, was hit from behind by Lightning forward Mathieu Joseph. Larkin arose, clearly agitated, and immediately swung at Joseph's head as he skated by, setting off a brief melee on the ice. Larkin would not return to the game, as he was assessed a match penalty. Per League rules, the NHL automatically reviews every match penalty.

In their video explaining the verdict, they offered the following explanation behind the decision: 

“Larkin and Joseph race towards a loose puck. Larkin cuts in front of Joseph to establish position. Joseph shoves Larkin, causing him to hit the boards and fall to the ice. Larkin then gets to his feet, finds Joseph, and swings wildly, punching the unsuspecting Joseph in the face with a gloved hand with sufficient force to knock him to the ice. This is roughing.



“This is not a case of two players who willingly engage in a mutual confrontation. Joseph has no warning that he is about to be punched, and Larkin gives him no time to brace for contact, defend himself, or choose to engage in the altercation. We understand that Larkin is frustrated on this play, but as our department has established in the past, players are not excused from punishment merely because they are acting in response to the actions of another player. What causes this play to rise to the level of supplemental discipline is the retaliatory nature of the punch, and the force with which it is delivered to an unsuspecting opponent."

Meanwhile, Joseph wasn't penalized on the play, nor will he face any discipline from the NHL. Larkin may in fact miss more time than just his one-game suspension, as the Red Wings revealed that he's set to see a neck specialist thanks to Joseph's reckless hit.