NHL investigating possible homophobic slur in Lightning-Leafs game

The Associated Press

6 years ago

Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) controls the puck by Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen Nikita Zaitsev (22) and Ron Hainsey (2) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Mon ... — Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) controls the puck by Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen Nikita Zaitsev (22) and Ron Hainsey (2) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Monday, March 11, 2019. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn (55), left wing Ondrej Palat (18), and center J.T. Miller (10) celebrate a second-period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Monday, March 11, 2019. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO — The NHL says it is investigating the possible use of a homophobic slur during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 6-2 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night.

Television cameras picked up what sounded like a slur with 1:51 left in the second period. An NHL spokesman says the league will have no further comment until its investigation is completed.

Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas says the club is in communication with the NHL. Dubas says “The issue of homophobia is one the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club strongly condemns and takes very seriously.”