Joined: Dec. 2017
Posts: 5,012
Likes: 3,523
I think the single game for Kucherov was actually totally appropriate. Yes, it was a cheap shot when the game was already out of hand, but it wasn't anything close to Wilson's shoulder to head hits or even Kadri's cross check to Debrusk's face. There wasn't a serious intent to injure, in my opinion, by Kucherov. It was a total cheap shot based on frustration. He was actually about to get called for a minor penalty about 5 seconds before the illegal barding. 2 games would've been too punitive given the circumstances.
Kadri, on the other hand, deserves at least 4-5 games, in my opinion. He has a long rap sheet and it was a direct shot to the face. Clearly there was intent to injure. He's an habitual offender and he's got little self-control. The fact that Debrusk wasn't seriously injured is merely luck. 5 playoff games/10 regular season games seems quite appropriate.