During Game 3 on Saturday, Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen was ejected after receiving a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for boarding Carolina Hurricanes winger Jackson Blake. The incident happened late in the first period behind the net as Blake attempted to play the puck and Luostarinen delivered a hard hit, sending Blake into the boards.
The penalty was initially called as a two-minute minor, but after further review by officials, it was upgraded to a major penalty and an ejection, removing Luostarinen from the remainder of the game. No additional discipline is expected following the review.
Impact of the Penalty on the Players and the Game
Blake was visibly slow to recover from the hit and did not return during the remainder of the first period. However, he returned in the second period, indicating the hit did not result in a serious injury. The Hurricanes were unable to capitalize on the power play chance that followed the penalty. At the time of Luostarinen’s removal, the Panthers maintained a 1-0 lead.
Player Performances Leading into the Incident
Luostarinen had emerged as a key contributor for the Panthers in the playoffs, tied for the team lead with 13 points—4 goals and 9 assists—in 14 games. His playoff form marked a strong improvement compared to a relatively quiet regular season where he had just 24 points over 80 games. On the Hurricanes’ side, rookie Blake was also having a notable postseason, with 6 points in 12 playoff games and a solid regular season tally of 34 points in 80 games.
Adjustments Made Following Luostarinen’s Ejection
Following his ejection, the Panthers shuffled their third line, inserting A.J. Greer alongside Anton Lundell and Brad Marchand to fill the void left by Luostarinen. This change was crucial as the team sought to maintain momentum despite losing one of their top playoff performers. The game continued with heightened physicality and importance as both teams competed intensely in this pivotal matchup.