The Florida Panthers suffered their fourth straight loss on Saturday, falling 3-0 to the Buffalo Sabres. During the game, Brad Marchand received a 2+2 penalty for jumping Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin. Now, NHL analyst Adam Proteau says Marchand should face even stiffer punishment.
The Panthers are currently on a five-game road trip, which concludes on Tuesday at TD Garden against the Boston Bruins. So far, they have lost four of those games, including Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to the Sabres.
Brad Marchand ripped Rasmus Dahlin’s helmet
The incident occurred in the second period when Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin cross-checked Marchand. In response, Marchand charged at Dahlin and began throwing punches. On his way to the penalty box, he grabbed Dahlin’s helmet, and once inside, he ripped the straps from it. Marchand was ultimately assessed a 2+2 minute penalty and fined $5,000 for his actions.
READ MORE: Marchand chirps Paul Bissonnette with a legendary trash-talk quote
Insufficient punishment
However, analyst Adam Proteau believes that punishment was insufficient. Writing for The Hockey News, Proteau argues that Marchand should have received an additional penalty for delay of game, as it took five minutes to find Dahlin a replacement helmet and resume play.
”Should know better”
“Therefore, Marchand should count himself lucky that all he received was a supplemental-discipline penalty that amounted to a financial pittance,” Proteau writes.
“At this point in his career, Marchand should know better. He can go after anyone he wants, but nowhere in hockey’s ‘code’ does it state that it’s appropriate for one player to lose their marbles over a check – even if the check is borderline dirty. If he wants to be seen as a leader in Florida, he’s going to have to comport himself better than that.”
Fans agree
Fans seem to agree with Proteau’s assessment:
“Should’ve been an additional 10-minute misconduct at minimum,” one fan wrote on X.
“At a minimum, this should have merited an additional two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct. That the refs continue to let him slide should be all you need to know,” another added.
“Marchand should be suspended for 10 games. Dirtiest player in the NHL,” a third fan commented.
You can watch the incident below.
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