John Tortorella spurns playoff handshake line and postgame press conference in apparent 'temper tantrum' over Brayden McNabb suspension

Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella avoided the playoff handshake line and left quickly after the team eliminated the Anaheim Ducks in six games. The Golden Knights also did not open their dressing room after the win, and only three players spoke with the media. The team did not give an official explanation for the behavior. Elliotte Friedman suggested the actions were a temper tantrum connected to the McNabb suspension. Brayden McNabb was suspended for the clinching Game 6 after a hit on Anaheim’s Ryan Poehling in Game 5. Poehling suffered an upper-body injury after his head struck the boards, and McNabb received a major penalty and was ejected. Friedman said the injury likely influenced supplemental discipline decisions.

"Tortorella seemingly shook hands with Anaheim's coaching staff on the bench and made an immediate beeline for the team's bus. According to The Athletic's Jesse Granger, the Golden Knights also did not open their dressing room after the win. Only three players spoke with the media: Brett Howden and Mitch Marner at the podium, and another unnamed player who was brought to a side room. The team did not provide an official reason for the strange, cold behavior."

""I think it was a bit of a temper tantrum," Friedman said. "They were mad about the McNabb suspension. I guarantee you that thing last night was in reaction to the McNabb suspension. They were really upset about it." Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb was suspended for the clinching Game 6 as a result of a hit he threw on Anaheim's Ryan Poehling in Game 5."

"McNabb hit an unsuspecting Poehling well away from the puck, forcing the latter out of the game with an upper-body injury after the back of his head clanged off the boards. McNabb was given a 5-minute major penalty for interference and was ejected 9 minutes into regulation. Friedman believes the injury that Poehling suffered on the play was a big factor in the Department of Player Safety deciding to hand down supplemental discipline."

""The thing is that Poehling was hurt, right?" Friedman said. "If there was a Game 7 on Saturday night, I don't think he was going to be playing. So it's an illegal hit where a""

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