Suspension Incoming? Vasily Podkolzin Handed Major Misconduct for Slashing Former Vancouver Canucks Teammate

The first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs is in full swing with most series already at the third game as of Friday morning and for Vasily Podkolzin's Edmonton Oilers, they're in a deep hole heading home after losing their first two contests in Los Angeles.

Edmonton's series against Los Angeles meant fans got to see a pair of former Vancouver Canucks do battle following Andrei Kuzmenko's trade to the Kings in March and Game 2 on Wednesday night provided an interesting moment between the two ex-teammates.

With Los Angeles up 6-2 late in the third period on Wednesday, frustration began to boil over for the Edmonton Oilers including for former Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin.

As a few Los Angeles Kings forwards were skating towards their bench for a line change, Vasily Podkolzin tried baiting them into a penalty and among the two he went after included his former Vancouver Canucks teammate Andrei Kuzmenko.

The officials quickly realized what Podkolzin was doing and decided to give him a ten minute misconduct, which meant his night was over as there was less than seven minutes remaining in the game.

Kuzmenko and Podkolzin enjoyed some success during their time together in Vancouver, with the former registering 39 goals and 74 points in his rookie campaign in 2022-23.

The two former teammates also shared plenty of laughs together, with the greatest moment being Kuzmenko attempting to impersonate Podkolzin's baby daughter crying while speaking with reporters during training camp in 2023.

Podkolzin is having a bit of a resurgence this season with the Edmonton Oilers after being dealt by the Canucks in August 2024 and they'll need him to step up in a big way on Friday night as they try to avoid going down 3-0 in their first round series vs LA.