Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak has been suspended for two games for an illegal check to the head of the New York Rangers' Dan Girardi during Wednesday's game at Madison Square Garden in New York.
This is the first time Pastrnak, 20, has been suspended in his career. The Bruins are in the midst of a three-game losing skid and lost to the Rangers 5-2 on Wednesday. With 10 minutes 55 seconds remaining in the second period, the puck was airborne when Girardi attempted to play it. Pastrnak leveled Girardi with an open-ice hit and was assessed a minor penalty. The NHL's department of player safety made its decision based on Pastrnak's direct hit to the head when it was avoidable.
On Saturday the Bruins begin a three-game road trip to play Detroit, Florida and Tampa Bay, starting against the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Pastrnak leads the Bruins with five goals in seven games this season. He will forfeit $10,277.78 in salary, with the money going to the players' emergency assistance fund.