Are Suspensions Affecting Playoffs’ Outcome?*

There have been three major suspensions during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs so far, and the playoffs just began a little more than a week ago. While suspension are to be expected during the playoffs like any other part of the season, the question does come around especially on social media if those suspensions have an effect on the outcome of a series.

The first suspension was handed to Nikita Kucherov for a hit placed upon Markus Nutivaara during the series between Tampa Bay Lightning and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Take a look at the hit below:

Kucherov received a one game suspension for the hit on Nutivaara. Last year, however, Kucherov was responsible for the following hit in which he was not suspended:

The outcome between the two seasons were the same under slightly different circumstances. This year the Bolts (Tampa Bay Lightning) won the President’s Trophy and were swept by the Blue Jackets in the first round. Whereas, last year, the Bolts didn’t lose until the Eastern Conference Finals where they were defeated by the Washington Capitals. And folks did believe Kucherov’s suspension sealed the Bolts fate despite the fact the Bolts were already behind 0-2 to the Blue Jackets at the time of his suspension.

Interestingly, the hit which happened last year was also happened in the first round against the New Jersey Devils. Kucherov was in, and the Bolts survived the first round.

Now, let’s jump to the second suspension handed out in the playoffs. It was given to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Nazem Kadri. First, Kadri has had a history of suspensions for both questionable and offensive hits. But folks question the fact that Kadri was handed a suspension for the remainder of the first round against the Boston Bruins instead of one game like Kucherov:

Here’s the Kadri cross-checking hit against the Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk:

Source: SPORTSNET

As mentioned by the announcer in the video, Kadri was reacting to DeBrusk kneeing Patrick Marleau. Still, Kadri was wrong and deserved a suspension–maybe 2 games but the remainder of the series is debateable and another story. The biggest point is that the Maple Leafs have been able to win without Kadri. However, they are now facing a Game 7 elimination tomorrow if they are defeated by the Bruins.

The third suspension was handed down to Joe Thorton of the San Jose Sharks. Thorton committed an illegal check to the head of Tomas Novek of the Vegas Golden Knights:

Thorton received a one game suspension, and the Sharks lost to the Knights 0-5 in Game 4. But the Sharks are now tied with the Golden Knights with both teams facing a Game 7 elimination if defeated.

So, the question remains will Kadri’s suspension have the same effect as the Bolts’ Kucherov? What about Thorton’s suspension . . . are the Sharks in the hole due to the mistake of one of its best players? In the past, suspensions have had an effect on a series usually with the suspended player’s team losing. But this time, we will have to wait and see how Game 7 works for the Sharks and the Leafs.

*As an update, the odds are 2-1 against a team advancing from their current series when a teammate is suspended based upon the 2019 playoffs. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning both failed to win the first round; the only team to advance to the second round is the San Jose Sharks with an overtime-come from behind win last night.