During a heated NHL game, Erik Johnson of the Buffalo Sabres took exception to a hit on his defensive partner, Casey Mittelstadt, by New York Rangers' Will Cuylle. The incident occurred behind the Buffalo net, leading to an infuriated Erik Johnson challenging Cuylle to a fight, which ended with Cuylle on top. Erik Johnson was penalized with a 2-minute instigator penalty, a 5-minute fighting major, and a 10-minute misconduct penalty, which he was furious about. Jeff Skinner of the Sabres also received a 10-minute misconduct and left for the dressing room. The Rangers were awarded a power play as a result of the fight. At the end of the second period, the Sabres were trailing the Rangers 3-2, and their lines were disrupted due to Skinner's penalty. The Sabres' record when trailing at the second intermission this season stands at 3-15-2. This fight marked Erik Johnson's 13th in the NHL.
Sabres trail 3-2 at the end of the 2nd period. Their lines were out of whack because of Skinner's 10-minute misconduct. Big penalty kill after the Erik Johnson fight. Buffalo is 3-15-2 when trailing at the 2nd intermission this season.
Erik Johnson didn't force Cuylle into a fight. He challenged Cuylle, who accepted. Shouldn't be an extra penalty, imo, then the officials tried to send a message by giving Johnson and Skinner 10-minute misconducts for disagreeing. Weak. https://t.co/bzOjloo0kt
OK, some clarification. Erik Johnson gets an instigator, so 2 for that, 5 for fighting, and a 10-minute misconduct. And Skinner gets a 10-minute misconduct. https://t.co/gXYgM2rU8R
Jeff Skinner was given a 10-misconduct. That explains why Granato was so angry. Erik Johnson also received a 10-minute misconduct. Will Cuylle got away with just the 5-minute fighting major.
More penalties: Johnson also gets a 10-minute misconduct, as does Jeff Skinner. I'm honestly not sure what happened with Skinner 🤷♂️
Erik Johnson's 13's NHL fight, according to hockey fights. https://t.co/SAeKOFE0yO
Erik Johnson was standing up for Ryan Johnson who got hit by Cuylee
Erik Johnson and now Jeff Skinner have left for the dressing room.
Cuylle with a big hit behind on Ryan Johnson behind the Buffalo net, so another Johnson (Erik) steps in and challenges him. Spirited fight ensues, with Cuylle eventually dropping him. E. Johnson gets hit with unsportsmanlike, which he's not happy about, and #NYR to the PP.
Will Cuylle with a big hit on Casey Mittelstadt, who went down to the ice hard. Erik Johnson takes exception and challenges No. 50 to a fight, which Cuylle gets the better of. #NYR
Cuylle squishes Ryan Johnson into the end boards and Erik Johnson drops the gloves with Cuylle. Erik Johnson gets a 2-minute conduct penalty on top of the fighting major. So #NYR get a power play. The Sabres are not happy.
Erik Johnson didn't like a hit on his D partner, Ryan Johnson, so he challenged Will Cuylle to a fight. Landed a few rights before it got broken up. Rangers getting a power play out of this. Erik Johnson is furious.