The Stanley Cup playoffs are known for their physical nature, but the current series between the Panthers and Lightning has taken it to a new level. A string of contentious calls have raised questions about consistency in enforcing rules.
On Monday night, Game 4 showcased these concerns, with several borderline infractions. The first came when Aaron Ekblad ended Brandon Hagel’s night with a forearm to the head in the second period. Later, Niko Mikkola boarded Zemgus Girgensons in the third.
The controversy started in Game 2, where Aleksander Barkov pressured Ryan McDonagh for the puck but didn’t touch it, resulting in an interference major. After review, the call stood. However, when Jake Guentzel was hit by Matthew Tkachuk, a similar penalty was not called despite a clear intent to hit.
The lack of consistency has led to heated debates and raised concerns about player safety. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety should establish a standard for players to abide by in this series. Failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences.
The outcome of the game is still unclear, but one thing is certain: the physicality of this series will continue to be a topic of discussion. As coach Jon Cooper noted, “It’s getting tiresome answering questions about a hit every game.” The question remains: what is the standard for consistency in this series?
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6319626/2025/04/29/lightning-panthers-nhl-playoffs-aaron-ekblad