Panthers’ Eric Staal knocked out of game after questionable hit from Mike Matheson

Eric Staal, left, had to leave the game after this hit from Mike Matheson.

On the same day he received a $25,000 fine for criticizing officials, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice was given another reason to gripe.

This time around, Panthers forward Eric Staal was shaken up by a crushing reverse hit by Montreal Canadiens defenceman Michael Matheson during the first period of Thursday’s game. Adding insult to injury, Matheson did not receive a penalty for what easily could’ve been deemed interference.

The Panthers later announced that Staal, 38, would not return to the game. Officially, the team described it as an upper-body injury.

No penalty, but discipline is still possible

Matheson, 28, has received one suspension so far during his NHL career. Back in 2018, the league banned him for two games for slamming Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson to the ice.

While Maurice may need to bite his tongue about a lack of a penalty on the play, it’s possible Matheson could receive supplemental discipline down the line, which has happened before with reverse hits. Although the play didn’t prompt an in-game penalty, the NHL suspended Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg three games for a reverse hit (labeling it interference) on New York Rangers winger Jimmy Vesey in 2018.

Eric Staal battling to keep NHL career alive

Over a lengthy NHL career of 1,333 regular-season and 83 playoff contests, Staal has suffered at least one concussion. Back in 2017, he suffered such an injury crashing head-first into the boards.

Despite winning a Stanley Cup, making six All-Star games, and authoring multiple 40-goal seasons, Staal’s been willing to grind to keep his NHL career alive. He didn’t play in the league at all in 2021-22, instead captaining Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Only after impressing at training camp on a PTO did Staal cement a spot with this season’s Panthers.

Among a season of disappointments for Florida, it’s nonetheless impressive that Staal’s managed to suit up for 40 games, collecting seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. Ideally, the veteran forward will bounce back from that hard hit by Matheson.

And, ideally for Maurice’s wallet, he’ll let that perceived missed call go.

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