Florida lost forward Eetu Luostarinen to a game misconduct penalty in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals after a dangerous hit on Carolina’s Jackson Blake. The incident happened late in the first period when Luostarinen sent Blake into the boards, resulting in a 5-minute major penalty for boarding. The penalty was confirmed after a video review.
The hit left Blake injured, as he stayed on the ice behind the goal line for about a minute while being tended to by Hurricanes’ medical staff. Afterward, Blake was helped off the ice and went to the locker room for further evaluation, raising concerns about his condition following the hit.
Blake Returns After Scary Collision as Luostarinen Ejected for Dangerous Boarding HitPlayers Tangled Chasing Puck, Resulting In Dangerous Boarding Impact On Blake’s Helmet
The play occurred as both players were chasing the puck deep in the zone. During their pursuit, the two got tangled, and Luostarinen’s momentum forced Blake headfirst into the boards. The impact appeared severe, with the top of Blake’s helmet hitting near the top of the boards along the plexiglass, a potentially dangerous area.
Fortunately, Blake was able to return to the ice at the start of the second period, showing that he was cleared to continue playing. Meanwhile, Florida had to adjust without Luostarinen, who was ejected from the game due to the major penalty and game misconduct.
