Kelly was suspended for Thursday night's illegal hit to the head on former Senator Andreas Englund.
Ottawa Senators winger Parker Kelly will be sidelined for the next two games. The NHL's Department of Player Safety laid down the law on Friday after Kelly's illegal check to the head in a game against the LA Kings on Thursday night.
Kelly received a two-game suspension for his hit on former Ottawa Senators defenceman Andreas Englund. Englund had been in a foul mood for most for the night against his old team, having frequent run-ins with Sens captain Brady Tkachuk.
According to NHL Player Safety:
Kelly delivered a hit that cuts across the front of Englund's core, picking the head and making it the main point of contact, on a hit where such head contact was avoidable. This is an illegal check to the head.
It is important to note that both elements of the illegal check to the head rule are met on this play.
First, the head is clearly the main point of contact of the hit, as Kelly's shoulder makes direct and forceful contact with Englund's head. Second, the head contact on this play is avoidable. Kelly takes a poor angle of approach that cuts across the front of Englund's core and picks the head. If Kelly wishes to deliver this check legally, he must take an angle that hits through Englund's shoulder and core, rather than through the head.
While the hit was deemed avoidable, it was pretty clear from Kelly's remorseful body language that it was accidental.
With Kelly out, left winger Boris Katchouk will make his Sens debut in San Jose. Katchouk was claimed off waivers from chicago on Friday.