Earlier in the game, Skinner scored the opening goal for the Sabres. Later, Skinner took down Aleksander Barkov with a tripping call and was sent to the box. It is currently unconfirmed as to why Yandle took exception to Skinner, but word is that Yandle was retaliating for Skinner’s trip, which is posted below:
Yandle thought this was intentional? pic.twitter.com/xp2VohW060
— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) December 19, 2018
Yandle must have thought Skinner’s trip was intentional and decided to teach Skinner a lesson. Pressed against the boards, Skinner obviously wanted nothing to do with Yandle.
Yandle didn’t care as he took Skinner and threw him to the ice. In the extended clip of the play, you can see Yandle chase down Skinner and hold him against the boards.
Yandle had no intentions of playing the puck and wanted to fight…Jeff Skinner… #sabres #flapanthers pic.twitter.com/JfEN7vPNSY
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) December 19, 2018
Yandle received a roughing call on the play, and it certainly created a heavy debate on social media with fans from both teams chiming in.
I get that Skinner was the one who sent Barkov to the room with the trip. But what Yandle did was ridiculous too. #Sabres #FlaPanthers
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) December 19, 2018
Barkov back on the #FlaPanthers bench.
Florida wasn't happy Skinner sent their captain to the locker room for a bit, so Yandle tried to get him to drop the gloves, but he declined. Yandle to the box for roughing and #Sabres head to the power play.
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) December 19, 2018
Yandle gets roughing. Nothing more. That's should have been four. Borderline assault and battery. #Sabres #FlaPanthers
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) December 19, 2018
Yup. Nothing wrong with what Yandle did regardless of how outraged Sabres fans are. What Skinner did was much more dangerous then what Yandle did. https://t.co/o7JqvcKQsQ
— Panther Parkway (@pantherparkway) December 19, 2018