Predators Ryan Hartman suspended for Game 5 after hit on Soderberg

Nashville Predators winger, Ryan Hartman, was suspended for one game earlier today by NHL Player Safety for his hit on Carl Soderberg in Game 4.

Game 4 in Colorado was a tough one for both teams. Both teams came out of the gate head hunting each other. There was many vicious hits throughout the game, including some that weren’t called penalties. Unfortunately, some of the ones that were called happened to be on the Nashville Predators. That includes Ryan Hartman’s hit on Carl Soderberg that warrented a suspension for Game 5.

Ryan Hartman was running into trouble all night last night for the Predators, including this hit. Earlier in the game, Hartman was speared in the groin area with the puck no where near him. Just a few minutes later, Sven Andrighetto went straight back to the groin area of Hartman, and Hartman reacted. To be fair, I believe just about any other player in the league would’ve reacted like Hartman did after being hit in the groin area twice.

The Predators will now have to make a lineup change for Game 5. Good thing the Predators were able to get Calle Jarnkrok back into the lineup last night. Depending on the style that the Predators want to bring to Game 5, they will have the option to put Miikka Salomaki or Scott Hartnell into the lineup on Friday night.

Thoughts on the suspension

I understand this suspension. The league is doing what they have to, and that is to show that they won’t allow this style of play to continue in this series. But the problem that I do have with this situation is the many other missed calls that occured throughout the game.

Kevin Fiala, for instance, was checked hard by Nikita Zadorov into the boards, in the face, but nothing was called. Fiala actually left the game for a little before returning. I do realize that Fiala had just gotten rid of the puck, but if you watch the replay, Zadorov finishes in the head area, just like Hartman’s call, but yet nothing was called.

Later in the game, Roman Josi received a late hit as the Predators had a good scoring chance, but once again, nothing was called. Lastly, Landeskog not only punched but also cross checked Mattias Ekholm after the play was over, yet Landeskog and Ekholm both went to the box.

I understand it has been a chippy series, but I would like to see more consistency out of the league. Things continue to escalate as the series go on. It’s no doubt that Game 5 will be much of the same. You will likely continue to see many late hits, as well as pushing and shoving after the whistle. Game 5 will be a tough one, as the Nashville Predators have a chance to win the series and move onto the next round.