Ridly Greig's punishment delivered for his sucker punch on Sean Walker
The series between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Ottawa Senators was very chippy throughout its short time and never was that more the case than during the second period of Game 4. One of the most viral moments was Ridly Greig's gloved punch to Sean Walker while he was being headlocked by Warren Foegele. After his hearing for the punch, the league reached a verdict on Monday.
The much-maligned Department of Player Safety handed a two-game suspension to Greig for this incident midway through the period. He wasn't penalized for it when it happened, only being caught by the replay before it circulated online. Because the Senators were eliminated during that game, his suspension will be served during Ottawa's first two games next season.
For a league that celebrates players punching each other in the face from time to time, there's no room in the game for stuff like this. I don't think Greig is an inherently dirty player, and this moment doesn't change my mind. However, it's a really bad look. I also felt the sentence was a tad lenient. I was expecting closer to five games, but there being any suspension at all will have to suffice.
Alexander Nikishin takes warmups before the Hurricanes' win in Game 2
Speaking of Game 4 in the Ottawa series, it appeared that there was a legitimate chance for Alexander Nikishin to re-enter the lineup on Saturday night after being knocked out of the final game against the Senators with a concussion. However, the team kept him out because he just wasn't feeling right. While he didn't play on Monday either, Nikishin seems to be on the verge of returning.
Before the Hurricanes took a 2-0 series lead over the Flyers with an overtime win, Nikishin took the ice and warmed up with the team. Mike Reilly stayed in the lineup, bringing no change from their lineup in Game 1, but this was about as positive a sign as we've gotten. The team held him out for health-related reasons, but a return in Game 3 on Thursday night seems like a legitimate possibility.
The NHL Draft lottery commences on Tuesday night
For the teams that missed the playoffs this season, Tuesday night could be a big one for several of them. Their fate comes down to the ping pong balls. The order of the first 16 picks will be determined during the 7 pm lottery drawing on ESPN, prior to Game 2 of the Avalanche-Wild series. While the Canes aren't involved, it's still something to keep an eye on for division implications.
While the Canucks and the Blackhawks hold the best odds to claim the top pick, at 18.5 percent and 13.5 percent respectively, the third-best odds belong to the New York Rangers at 11.5 percent. While those odds might not appear to be in their favor, teams have jumped from 3rd to 1st in two of the last seven drafts, including the New Jersey Devils in 2019 when they selected Jack Hughes.
The top pick in the draft appears to be up in the air, though Penn State forward Gavin McKenna is still considered the likely frontrunner to go #1 overall. The difference between facing him twice a year or four times a year comes down to whether a ball goes into a tube at the right or wrong time. Even if you don't care, it'll be good to watch because of the game that follows, which featured 15 goals in Game 1.
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