Night 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs concluded Monday night, and we already have big hits in the headlines.
Wild defenseman Matt Dumba landed a huge hit on Stars forward Joe Pavelski in the second period of Game 1 of their first-round series. Pavelski stayed down for a bit and needed assistance off the ice.
The Dallas veteran did not return to the game, and his status for Game 2 looks bleak.
Matt Dumba lays a late hit on Joe Pavelski and receives a 2-minute minor penalty for roughing. pic.twitter.com/a6XTWf4Hup
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 18, 2023
Dumba was originally assessed a five-minute major on the play. However, after a review, the officials determined that the play was not worthy of a major penalty, and Dumba was given a two-minute for roughing.
Dallas head coach Peter DeBoer did not push back in the postgame on the assessment of Dumba's hit on one of his star players.
"We have the best officials in the world," DeBoer said after Game 1. "They called a five, they reviewed it, which is the right thing to do. if they reviewed it and decided it wasn't a bad hit, then I guess it's not for me to argue with that... We've got to live with that."
MORE: Stars vs. Wild predictions, odds, TV schedule for 1st round of 2023 NHL playoffs
The Sporting News has more details on why Dumba won't face any discipline from the NHL Department of Player Safety for his hit on Pavelski.
Why Matt Dumba won't be suspended for his hit on Joe Pavelski
According to ESPN's Greg Wyshysnki, the NHL Department of Player Safety will not have a hearing with Dumba for his hit on Pavelski.
Wyshynski reported that sources told him that the contact was considered "close to being late, but within [an] allowable window.
As a result, Dumba will not be suspended, nor fined, for his hit on Pavelski.
Dumba had said after the game that he felt that his hit on Pavelski was clean and that the contact was shoulder-to-shoulder.
When is Stars vs. Wild Game 2?
- Date: Wednesday, April 19
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET | 8:30 p.m. CT
These two sides don't have to wait much longer to get back after it.
The Stars vs. Wild Game 2 puck drop is set for Wednesday, April 19 at 9:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. local time in Dallas.
The game is being held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
