Nikita Zadorov picks up a two-game suspension from the NHL's Department of Player Safety after a high hit on Lucas Raymond Saturday afternoon

The NHL's Department of Player Safety did not waste any time adjudicating a high hit from the Vancouver Canucks Nikita Zadorov, delivered on Lucas Raymond early in the second period of Saturday afternoon's overtime Red Wings victory in Detroit.  Zadorov received a match penalty for the hit, ending his game early, and before the night was over, the DPOS had assessed him a two-game suspension for the play.

The department's video explaining the suspension described Zadorov's check as "high and forceful", saying that the defenseman picked Raymond's head and "[made] the head the principle point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable."  The video goes on to describe the check as "mistimed."

Per league rules, an illegal check to the head is defined by two key elements: first, the head is the main point of contact, and second, the head contact is avoidable.  Because both of those criteria were met, a suspension was issued.  Zadorov did not have any history of fines or suspensions from the league, or he might have had more games tacked on.

Raymond did not speak after the game, but Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said, "I don't like that hit.  That's the classic blindside that the league's been trying to get out of the league for an awful long time.  I'm glad [Raymond] is good.  Obviously, he had to go back to the spotter...Obviously a good sign that he came back [and finished the game]."

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