Should Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon be suspended for a shoulder hit on Chris Tanev?

By Ryan Gagne

Modified May 16, 2024 21:07 GMT

Apart from a gutsy performance (two points) to keep his season alive, Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon is trending on social media for a shoulder check to the face of Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev. Immediately following the incident, Tanev went to the dressing room before returning to action, missing some teeth.

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Should Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon be suspended for a shoulder hit?

The answer is no. Considering the amount of carnage and questionable missed calls in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, a shoulder check that happens to clip the head is not the worst thing seen in the second round.

MacKinnon was not penalized during the play. Unless fans were intently following the contest, the hit was not a turning point or memorable moment in the game, except when the camera tracked Tanev leaving and coming back.

Later in the game, Tanev caught Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen in the face with a cross-check. Although he was apologetic and didn't mean it, he only served two minutes for high sticking despite drawing blood, which should have been an automatic double minor.

Because the Stars lost, giving up two powerplay goals, many fans are crying foul online for MacKinnon's missed call, which the league will not review.

Unfortunately, in the second round, officiating has become a focal point for all eight teams still playing. Whether it's Sam Bennett's sucker punch on Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand or the Connor McDavid high stick on Quinn Hughes, officials are letting teams play like the 1970s all over again.

However, since McDavid is the reigning MVP and one of their most marketable players, whenever something happens to him, it's almost guaranteed to result in a fine or suspension, as Carson Soucy found out in Game 3.

MacKinnon is on the same level as McDavid and won't face any discipline for his hit on Tanev in what could be deemed as a hockey play. At least that's the message the NHL would send to fans and players, as that's how they labeled Bennett's sucker punch on Marchand.

Eventually, the NHL can't even clearly explain goalie interference unless one looks at the betting odds these days, so with their mixed messages on infractions, no one has a clue how to patrol and play the games.

Although Tanev is missing a couple of teeth from a shoulder check that caught him in the face, he's not on a superstar level like many other players who have been the instigators or victims of malicious incidents this postseason.

The Conference Championships are the biggest games of the 2023-24 season, which means the NHL should use its best officials and make better decisions regarding rule enforcement to save face in the public eye before things get out of control.