Stars coach Pete DeBoer furious, calls on NHL to punish Oilers defenceman
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers YouTube
There's been plenty of targeted physical play in the Oilers and Stars playoff series, but Dallas coach Pete DeBoer is specifically calling on the NHL to handle Evan Bouchard.
The Oilers defenceman was clearly targeting Roope Hintz last night with some greasy slashes, while Hintz is believed to be playing through a foot injury.
Stars coach Pete DeBoer calls on NHL to handle Evan Bouchard for Hintz slash
Speaking to the media today, DeBoer was incensed with Houchard's actions against Hintz and directly asked the NHL to take care of it.
Make no mistake, Bouchard's slash is a greasy play knowing the context of Hintz's injury. However, slashes like that is happen dozens of times a game in the playoffs, and hockey is a contact sport. If Hintz is going to play through injury, it will come with some pain.
Darnell Nurse said exactly that when addressing the slash himself. It's unfortunate Hintz was hurt, but it's a normal play that doesn't warrant action from Player Safety.
I think it was just a natural reaction. It's probably a play that everyone in this room, probably happens dozens of times, two dozen times in a year.
- Darnell Nurse
- Darnell Nurse
For DeBoer to suggest that the NHL needs to discipline or even warn Bouchard for that play is ridiculous. Bouchard and the Oilers are taking every advantage they can in a war of attrition.
NHL Player Safety no where to be found in Oilers vs Stars series
Oilers fans will feel no sympathy either, as Alex Petrovic and Mason Marchment delivered unpenalized hits that have injured Connor Brown and Zach Hyman. The Stars aren't a clean team either.
This is the great theatre of the NHL playoffs and the rivalries that develop over the course of a series. Bouchard honestly did the right thing, and there's no chance the NHL will assess anything to the Oilers defender.
| POLL | ||
MAI 28 | 864 ANSWERS Stars coach Pete DeBoer furious, calls on NHL to punish Oilers defenceman Do you think NHL Player Safety has failed their role in the Oilers and Stars series? | ||
| Yes, there should have been suspensions or fines | 680 | 78.7 % |
| No, they're good | 184 | 21.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
