Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher Suspended Five Games

Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher is suspended for an illegal check to the head. Here's what the NHL's player safety department had to say and Jacob Stoller's reaction.

The NHL Department of Player Safety handed Brendan Gallagher a five-game suspension on Friday for an illegal check to the head.

Gallagher, 31, received a match penalty in the third period for hitting New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech in the Montreal Canadiens' 4-3 win on Thursday. Pelech left the game and didn't return. 

The NHL rulebook states referees may assess a match penalty if they judge that the player attempted to or deliberately injured their opponent in any manner. For a hit to be deemed an illegal check to the head, it must have been avoidable contact. 

In the NHL's video explaining the suspension, it noted Gallagher cuts across the ice toward Pelech as the latter skates up ice and moves the puck to a teammate.

"Gallagher loads up, raises his arm and elevates into a forceable check that cuts across the front of Pelech's core and picks his head," said the NHL player safety video narrator.

"Recognizing that he may be about to miss his check and in an attempt to get a piece of Pelech, Gallagher then flares his elbow and extends upward," the video added.

Gallagher only received a phone hearing with the player safety department for the hit, which meant he could only be suspended for up to five games. As part of the video's key points, the department factored in that Gallagher has "no relevant history," mentioning that he's only received one fine before in his 723-game NHL career for roughing then-New York Rangers forward Barclay Goodrow in 2021.

The Edmonton native will forfeit $169,270.85 to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund as a result of the suspension.

Here's Jacob Stoller's reaction to the hit and length of suspension. Also check out more reaction on THN's Islanders site.