WATCH: Leon Draisaitl labeled as ‘classless’ for refusing handshake with Alex Pietrangelo, NHL Twitter reacts
NHL fans roast Leon Draisaitl for rejecting a handshake after the Knights defeated Oilers in Game 6 of Stanley Cup playoff contention.
Leon Draisaitl [Image Credit: Hockey Patrol]
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl neither minced his words nor his actions following the team’s playoff loss against Golden Knights in Game 6. Earlier in the Oilers vs Knights thriller, the NHL’s 2nd leading scorer was slashed by defenceman Alex Pietrangelo drawing in massive controversy.
Although the defenceman was suspended by the league, Draisaitl was far from settling the score. Following the Game 6 conclusion, the Oilers forward rejected a firm handshake from Pietrangelo, seemingly drawing NHL fans’ attention to the clip. Fans labeled him as “classless”, as one commented, “Classless at its best”.
While some discouraged Draisaitl for his actions, others stood up for him stating he at least shook hands with the person who almost slashed him earlier in the game. “People mad at leon for this im surprised he even shook hands after what happened.”
“Trying to break a guys wrists in the middle of a series I can see why he didn’t wanna give much respect to him”, one fan commented. Regardless of his actions, it seems that the team’s Stanley Cup drought will continue for another year, despite having a good regular-season record.
Leon Draisaitl blames himself for Oilers’ disastrous loss against Knights in Game 6
Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said that he was happy with the player’s efforts into Game 6. The team may be working on their offense in the regular season as they were held off by the Knights in Stanley Cup contention.
Leon Draisaitl criticized himself for not being “good” enough. He said that with this loss, it simply “hurts” and feels like “a failure or a wasted year.” “I have to take a lot of ownership myself. I wasn’t good tonight”.
Woodcroft commented that the “group is very disappointed” following the loss as their aim was to push it onto Game 7. Although things didn’t turn out their way, the head coach expressed that he can’t fault the players, “I can’t fault the effort from our players”.
Following Alex Pietrangelo’s 1-game suspension, he commented on Oilers players stating, “It’s pretty obvious what’s going on.” The defenceman further went on to state that it’s all “premeditated stuff” aimed at him.
He said that he’ll not be dwelling on what’s already over and rather hone up his skills, playing “the game the way it needs to be played.” For the Oilers’ two top scorers, Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid, it’ll be another year without a Cup.
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Kaushani Chatterjee
(2158 Articles Published)