Why Eetu Luostarinen was ejected for controversial hit to Jackson Blake in Panthers vs. Hurricanes

The Panthers are up 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, looking to take firm control of the series at home in Game 3. However, they will have to play most of the game down a man,

Forward Eetu Luostarinen was ejected from the game against the Hurricanes after a hard hit on Carolina forward Jackson Blake. Luostarinen has played in all but two games for Florida this year and has been one of the team's better defensive forwards.

Blake is a rookie coming off his first full season in the NHL, having played 80 games for Carolina in the regular season. The 21-year-old has three goals and three assists so far this playoffs, one of six Carolina players with at least three goals in the postseason.

Here's a look at the hit that got Luostarinen kicked out of the game.

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Eetu Luostarinen hit on Jackson Blake

While chasing a puck into the Hurricanes' zone, Luostarinen hit a defenseless Jackson Blake into the boards, leading to Blake going back to Carolina's locker room. Luostarinen was given a five-minute major and game misconduct on the hit, ending his night.

Eetu Luostarinen has been given a 5-minute major and game misconduct for this hit on Jackson Blake pic.twitter.com/pxarxdoorj

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 25, 2025

At the time of the hit, the Panthers were up 1-0 on Carolina, having taken the lead early in the first period. 

The officials determined that Luostarinen deserved a penalty for boarding, as his hit on Blake into the boards was dangerous. The ejection means that the Panthers have to play the rest of the game a man down.

However, there was much debate about whether Luostarinen's hit deserved a game misconduct for boarding.

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 25, 2025

Pretty ridiculous game misconduct call here it’s not Eetu’s fault Blake put himself in a terrible position https://t.co/ls4rp4u22t

— Christian (@BigIdiotHeatGuy) May 25, 2025

That’s absolutely nonsensical to call that a major. Blake tried to chip it and turn to the left. Absurd to call that a 5. No clue what you expect Eetu to do on that play to avoid hitting him

— x - Jacob Winans (@JacobWinans8) May 25, 2025

The league will likely have a hearing over Luostarinen's hit to determine whether he will be suspended for it, but for now he will miss the majority of Game 3.

MORE: How Hurricanes can extend 14-game Eastern Conference Final losing streak

NHL boarding penalty

A boarding penalty is when a player "pushes, trips or body checks" a defenseless opponent dangerously into the boards. The NHL puts the stress on the player doing the hitting to avoid putting his opponent in danger near the boards.