Eetu Luostarinen Receives Major After Vicious Hit on Jackson Blake

The Florida Panthers are in control over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, enjoying a 1-0 lead after the 1st period and hoping to take a 3-0 stranglehold.

However, they'll be playing the rest of the game (and possibly longer) without center Eetu Luostarinen, who was assessed a 5-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for his actions.

While attempting to retrieve a loose puck in the corner, Luostarinen hit Hurricanes right wing Jackson Blake from behind, injuring him. After a video replay review of the interaction, the on-ice officials confirmed that Luostarinen's night would be over.

Because he was thrown out of the game, it's likely that Luostarinen could be facing additional supplemental discipline from the NHL Department of Player Safety.

Luostarinen has 13 points (4G, 9A) in 14 playoff games so far, helping the Panthers to their 3rd straight appearance in the ECF.

There has already been a suspension in the postseason so far, as Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel was given a 1-game ban for his late hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in the opening round.

There have also been multiple controversies in which fans and media believed a suspension could be coming, but didn't.

Panthers forward Sam Bennett faced massive scrutiny for his contact with Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz that knocked him from the rest of their respective series, while Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse avoided punishment for his controversial slash to the foot of Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz.