Punching a guy in the face is supposed to hurt too, but there's no suspension. The fact these slashes happen a lot is relevant as to whether punishment over and above the standard penalty issued in game is warranted.
In other words, if you accept that there's a penalty for slashing, and the in game punishment is from 2 minutes up to a game misconduct, then the only way a slash warrants something more is if it's not something that occurs a lot. Now, you can mkae the argument that this slash was way outside the normal slash in a game, but I think there's lots of debate about that (as opposed to more in the open).
IMO the result is irrelevant except to the extent it shows there wass force behind the swing. If Subban had taken an overhand chop at Stone's head, but missed entirely, I'd think the punishment should be the same as if he connected.
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