Why Oliver Ekman-Larsson Was Fined By NHL Player Safety After Hit On Lightning's Jake Guentzel
Ekman-Larsson has averaged the most ice time (22:14) among Maple Leafs skaters since the regular season began.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety has fined Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson after his hit on Lightning forward Jake Guentzel.
The 33-year-old was fined $5,000 by the NHL's Department of Player Safety — the maximum allowable under the league's collective bargaining agreement — for interfering with Guentzel in the third period of Toronto's 5-2 win over the Lightning on Monday.
Ekman-Larsson was assessed an interference penalty on the play.
The Swede played 21:40 and threw four hits — a season-high through six games — in Toronto's win over Tampa.
"Yeah, I mean, I’ve seen it since game one," Matthew Knies said of Ekman-Larsson's grit. "You know, he’s been hard to play against and that’s what we need and, yeah, I want to keep seeing it."
After serving the penalty, Lightning defenseman Zemgus Girgensons threw a hit on Ekman-Larsson, which Max Domi didn't appreciate.
The two players then dropped the gloves with Domi getting an extra two minutes for roughing. Tampa scored on the power play, but couldn't push any further and ended up losing to the Maple Leafs.
Ekman-Larsson has four assists through six games with Toronto. His four points are the most among all Maple Leafs defensemen this season. The veteran defender has been the quarterback of Toronto's top power play unit early on, but all of his points have come at even strength.
The Swede signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Maple Leafs on the opening day of NHL free agency after winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in June. The annual average value of his deal is $3.5 million.
Ekman-Larsson's fine money goes to the NHL's Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
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