Alex Pietrangelo should know better.
And that’s especially true given the fact that he was just on the wrong end of a reckless cross-check to the face courtesy of Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane.
But there he was, with the Oilers sealing up Game 4 on Wednesday night and attempting to score on an empty net, taking his stick and slashing leading playoff scorer Leon Draisaitl with two hands, which very much looked deliberate and could be interpreted as an intent to injure.
After review, Pietrangelo was given a five-minute major and game misconduct, although it wasn’t a match penalty. Still, it’s time for Player Safety to take a look at this and suspend the defenseman for at least a game.
Alex Pietrangelo gives Leon Draisaitl a two-handed slash after an empty net opportunity. pic.twitter.com/wziPdleLDx
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 11, 2023
Connor McDavid clearly agreed:
Connor McDavid on the Pietrangelo slash on Draisaitl in Game 4. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/ZQpMls4Sbi
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 11, 2023