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 Oilers, 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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