The NHL could come down hard on Vegas Golden Knights forward Nicolas Roy after a dangerous play in Thursday’s playoff loss to Edmonton.
Roy faces a disciplinary hearing Friday night for a brutal cross-check to Oilers forward Trent Frederic’s face during overtime. The league’s Department of Player Safety is reviewing the incident for a possible suspension.
The ugly scene unfolded about five minutes into overtime. During a battle along the boards, Roy lifted his stick and caught Frederic right in the mouth.
Frederic had to leave the game for medical attention, though he did manage to return briefly before Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl sealed the 2-0 series lead for the Oilers.
The refs didn’t hesitate – they slapped Roy with a five-minute major penalty and tossed him from the game. The Knights managed to kill off the lengthy penalty, but the damage was done.
Losing Roy would be a big hit to Vegas’s lineup. He’s been rock-solid this postseason, putting up three points in eight games while averaging nearly 14 minutes of ice time.
But it’s in the faceoff circle where they’ll really miss him. Roy’s been winning an impressive 59.7% of his draws – the best on the team.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy’s probably already planning for life without Roy for Game 3. The most likely move? Sliding Brett Howden to center and hoping Pavel Dorofeyev’s healthy enough to return after missing three games.
If Dorofeyev can’t go, Cole Schwindt’s the only other center available on the roster. He’d be thrown right into the playoff pressure cooker if he gets the call.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Vegas – they’re already in a deep hole against a red-hot Oilers team that’s firing on all cylinders.
