...the period, game, and season. Sharks need a spark and a goal to gain some momentum. Pavelski knows his team needs a whistle and a man advantage, and they need it quickly. He's a competitor and a strategist trying to do anything he can to help his team, and embellishing the impact of the cross-check would help his team in that moment.

I'm not questioning Pavelski's toughness or integrity as a player or leader. On the contrary, I think he tried to sell the cross-check to get a 2-minute minor penalty in hopes of getting a single goal. I don't think the fall to the ice was an entire act, but I think his flailing at first caused him to fall awkwardly and ultimately become genuinely injured.