Off Scott Free: Mayfield Avoids Additional Punishment for Hit on Barkov

Scott Mayfield did not face any additional discipline from the NHL following his knee-on-knee hit on Aleksander Barkov in Tuesday’s loss to the Florida Panthers.

The incident occurred in the second period as Barkov crossed the blue line and Scott Mayfield caught him with the knee-on-knee sending both players to the ice. Scott Mayfield was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit, ending his night early.

No further supplementary discipline was handed down by the NHL’s department of player safety on Wednesday. Florida head coach Andrew Brunette didn’t believe the hit was malicious but did label it as “reckless,” according to Florida Hockey Now.

It was a similar sentiment expressed by Islanders head coach Barry Trotz following the game.

“There wasn’t a big window as Barkov came laterally between him (Mayfield) and another player,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “He looked like he was trying to hit him shoulder to shoulder. I know Scott, there’s no intent there. It’s all in the interpretation.”

Barkov will be sidelined week to week, but no surgery will be required for him.

The New York Islanders had trailed the game 4-0 already when Scott Mayfield was ejected and limiting the shortened defensive group even more. Ryan Pulock missed Tuesday’s game because of a lower-body injury.