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Chris Kreider's near suspension due to mouthguard toss
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    Chris Kreider’s near suspension due to mouthguard toss

    How close did New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider come to earning a one-game suspension? Was it a foot? Or was he close to a metre shy of clearing the glass with Matthew Tkachuk’s mouthguard on Wednesday night?

    Much has been made about the “mouthguard toss” from Game 3 between the Florida Panthers. The incident occurred at a stoppage of play at 19:12 of the third period, when Kreider and Tkachuk came together and began jawing at one another, while the linesmen worked to separate them. Then, as Kreider skated away, he tossed something over his shoulder in the direction of the crowd.

    That “something” was Tkachuk’s mouthguard, which Kreider somehow had in his glove.

    “I know it’s a hilarious story but it’s not true. Kreider did not throw Tkachuk’s mouthguard into the crowd,” said Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Wednesday’s edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. “It went straight up and it landed on the ground. He may have been trying to do it but he failed in his attempt.”

    That miss likely saved Kreider some time off, according to co-host Jeff Marek.

    “If he was trying to do it, he’s lucky he didn’t do it,” said Marek, citing Rule 53.5 of the NHL Handbook, which says: “A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on a player who intentionally throws his stick or any part thereof or any object or piece of equipment outside the playing area.”


    “He saved himself a game misconduct on that one,” added Marek.

    So, because the mouthguard stayed in, so does Kreider for Game 5, which goes Thursday in New York (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+), with the series tied at 2-2.

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    New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider found himself in hot water recently after nearly being suspended for tossing his mouthguard during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The incident occurred during the third period of the game when Kreider became frustrated with a call made by the referees.

    In a moment of anger, Kreider removed his mouthguard and threw it onto the ice, a move that could have resulted in a suspension under the NHL’s rules. However, after reviewing the incident, the league decided not to take any disciplinary action against Kreider.

    While it may seem like a minor infraction, the NHL takes player conduct very seriously, especially when it comes to unsportsmanlike behavior. Tossing equipment onto the ice is not only disrespectful to the officials and the game itself, but it can also pose a safety hazard to players on the ice.

    Kreider’s near suspension serves as a reminder to all players that they are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, both on and off the ice. Emotions can run high during games, but it is important for players to channel that energy in a positive way and not let it affect their behavior.

    In the end, Kreider was fortunate to escape suspension and will likely be more mindful of his actions in the future. It is a lesson that all players can learn from, as maintaining composure and sportsmanship is crucial in the world of professional sports.