The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Edmonton Oilers forward Josh Archibald has been suspended for one game for clipping. This is his second career suspension.
Edmonton’s Josh Archibald has been suspended for one game for Clipping Winnipeg’s Logan Stanley. https://t.co/RFPmlqTtys
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 24, 2021
Josh Archibald Suspended
Archibald has been suspended for Game 4 against the Jets for an incident with Logan Stanley. During Game 3 of the playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, Archibald ducked low and clipped Stanley, driving his shoulder into Stanley’s knee. This suspension is the second one that Archibald has received
During the regular season, Archibald scored seven goals and six assists for 13 points. He also added 37 minutes in penalties. In three playoff games, Archibald has 15 hits, one blocked shot, and zero points.
Over his six-year NHL career, Archibald has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes, and Edmonton Oilers. He has put up 39 goals and 31 assists for 70 career points in 235 career games. He was originally drafted in the sixth round, 174th overall of the 2011 NHL draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Edmonton Oilers forward Josh Archibald will have a hearing tomorrow for “clipping” #GoJetsGo defender Logan Stanley. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/zK0K21r9Lr
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) May 24, 2021
What This Means for the Future
The Oilers are on the verge of elimination. Archibald’s hit was cited as one that turned the tide in Game 3. They need all the help they can get. Archibald’s suspension definitely didn’t help with morale. While he has yet to score a single point in the playoffs, he’s still valued as a fourth-line grinder with the team. It’s doubtful that losing Archibald will have much of an offensive impact on the roster, but it may affect locker room culture. The Oilers are in dire straits against the Jets. Game 4 is a make-it-or-break-it game for Edmonton. Time will tell whether or not Archibald’s suspension had an effect on the rest of the series.
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