What is slashing in hockey?

It's the fourth game of a second-round matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights. The two teams are fighting for the right to advance to the Western Conference Final. It's an intense series with both sides giving it all. There was a pivotal play that impacted the series, with both teams caught up in some controversy.

In the third period, Leon Draisaitl goes to put the puck into the empty net. As he approached the net, Alex Pietrangelo skates up and gives a two-handed slash to Edmonton's superstar. It caused a ruckus between the two teams, with Connor McDavid calling for the defenseman to be suspended. Edmonton went on to win that game, 4-1. However, the Golden Knights prevailed in that series, 4-2.

Pietrangelo was suspended for one game for the move, causing controversy among the hockey community. It gave him the undesirable label of being a dirty player, with fans calling for him to be suspended for much longer. Although it caused a stir in the hockey community, Vegas went on to win the Stanley Cup that season.

But let's explore what slashing is within the hockey world. How does the penalty occur? What are the consequences of committing such a foul? Last time, we explored how many games there were in an NHL season and the definition of a point prior. Let's learn about what slashing means in this frigid game.

The definition of slashing in the NHL (and how it impacts teams like the Vegas Golden Knights)

Slashing is the moment a player swings their stick at an opponent. It doesn't matter if they make contact with the opponent or not. If the intent is there, the player will be sent to the box for a minor penalty. All forceful chops with the stick on the opponent's body or stick (or near the opponent's hands) are considered slashing. The result leads to a power play for two minutes (minor penalty), where the opposing team can score on the man advantage.

In the case of Alex Pietrangelo slashing Leon Draisaitl, it was malicious. The Oilers were on their way to winning the game when the Vegas Golden Knights defenseman came over and performed the two-handed slash. Therefore, a major penalty was assessed as he recklessly endangered another player. It nearly cost Vegas the series, where they would've been down a top NHL defenseman.

The moral of the story? It's not good to slash your opponent, especially in the closing moments of a hockey game. It can come back to haunt your club, leaving you down one of your best players. Keep your sticks on the ice and continue on. If it doesn't work, there's always the next game.