The Florida Panthers left everything out there on the ice in Game #4. And boy was it needed. Eventually, they managed to win the game 4-2 and take a crucial 3-1 series lead in the postseason Battle of Florida. Aside from the satisfaction of making it to round 1, winning the series comes with the bonus of dumping out their cross-state rivals. So, everything’s sweeter. And everything’s feistier. And it seems Niko Mikkola couldn’t control himself, leaving a lasting mark on his opponent. But that has also drawn a rebuke from the NHL. So, what went down in the Amerant Bank Arena on April 28? And is Niko Mikkola in trouble?

Well, it seems like the Panthers defenseman will not receive a game suspension for boarding Tampa Bay Lightning forward Zemgus Girgensons. However, he is being sanctioned $5,000 by the NHL, as per NHL Player Safety’s official Twitter handle. Well, whether it is enough or not is debatable. Fans have flooded the comment section to express their displeasure at one particular thing – “No suspension?”, one fan went.

Was it suspension-worthy? It happened in the 3rd period, with 0:16 seconds on the clock. Vying to gain possession of the puck, Mikkola shoved Girgensons to the ice. And it was still fine. As long as the puck is in play, contact is allowed. But then, it’s almost like the Panthers defenseman saw an opportunity too good to let go.

The puck was still on offer, but Niko Mikkola straight checked the Lightning forward into the boards while he was on his knees, no remorse, no emotion. Just a casual Monday in the Battle of Florida chronicles of the NHL. Girgensons also didn’t make a meal of it, to be honest. Straight away, getting up, although he was visibly shaken by the hard crash against the boards.

The #77 Panthers defenseman was handed a 5-minute major initially. But on video review, seeing how Mikkola crunched a defenseless Girgensons head-first into the boards, they upgraded it to a 10-minute game misconduct. Zemgus Girgensons was visibly shaken as he immediately went to the bench to get treated.

And more punishment was to be dished out for Mikkola, as we know now. After the game, the NHL Department of Player Safety handed the maximum allowable fine of $5000 as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, helping bolster the resources to treat players in need of immediate care.

And this playoff is definitely contributing to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund in a major way. Because Niko Mikkola is not the first player to get fined.

Capitals-Canadiens blowout sees NHL rein in the law

Ryan Whitney correctly called it on his Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, “This year is madness.” And if you want to see the madhouse, check out the Capitals-Canadiens series. Boy, it’s almost like they think they will get bonus points for getting hits on the opponents, no holds barred. And who told Tom Wilson he was the bouncer whose job is to toss the Canadiens out of the rink? Well, he has been going hard, be it at Cole Caulfield or Alexandre Carrier.

And when Canadiens forward Josh Anderson stood up to the Panthers forward, it was full-on ‘fight it out on ice.’ More drama for the fans, right? It went out of control in game 3. It literally escalated to getting the benches involved as Wilson pushed Anderson to the bench without any care. Wilson wanted to pick a fight. The gloves were off, and so was the helmet. He just wanted to hook and jab.

Who was taking the worst of it? Maybe the ref who was trying to separate them. And eventually, the NHL had had enough. They had asked both camps to show restraint. And they also fined Wilson and Anderson $5000 each for their unruly behavior. Well, they have definitely contributed to a blockbuster Stanley Cup postseason.