Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy's illegal hit on Florida Panthers forward Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Boston's 3-2 win on Monday resulted in a match penalty and five-minute major.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will be suspended for four games for his illegal hit to the head of Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
The play happened at 9:28 of the third period of Boston's 3-2 overtime win on Monday, just 128 seconds after McAvoy scored the tying goal.
McAvoy charged in on Ekman-Larsson in front of the Panthers' net, with the puck and the rest of the game action further up the zone. McAvoy's shoulder collided with Ekman-Larsson's face, and the latter exited the game. Florida coach Paul Maurice had no update on his status afterwards.
McAvoy received a five-minute major and match penalty. The Bruins killed off the major to remain tied and ultimately force overtime, but now they'll be without their top defenseman for at least four games.
"I saw it live. I haven't looked at it in-depth," Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said after the game. "The league reviews all those hits, and they'll let us know what their thoughts are. We respect how the league goes about it, I think they do a real good process there."