John Tortorella spurns playoff handshake line and postgame press conference in apparent ‘temper tantrum’ over Brayden McNabb suspension
RMNB • • sports
Key Points:
- After the Vegas Golden Knights eliminated the Anaheim Ducks in six games, coach John Tortorella skipped the traditional playoff handshake line and avoided postgame media duties, causing a stir.
- The Golden Knights also did not open their dressing room to the media, with only three players speaking afterward, reflecting a cold and unusual postgame atmosphere.
- Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman attributed the behavior to frustration over defenseman Brayden McNabb’s suspension for a dangerous hit on Anaheim’s Ryan Poehling, which injured Poehling and led to McNabb missing the clinching Game 6.
- The suspension was influenced by the injury to Poehling and the league’s view that the hit was illegal, despite McNabb’s clean disciplinary record over 14 years.
- The Golden Knights will face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals starting May 20, and Tortorella is expected to address his controversial postgame conduct before the series begins.