The NHL has reviewed a Game 1 hit by Drew Doughty, and reported by Sportsnet’s Nick Kyprios, the Kings defenseman has been suspended for one playoff game.
The hit in question was a 3rd period illegal check to the head of William Carrier. Carrier left the bench momentarily but returned before the game was over. He never re-entered the game.
Doughty will serve the suspension in Game 2 of the series. He will be eligible to return to the Kings lineup on Sunday in Los Angeles for Game 3.
As we pointed out earlier today, the NHL’s precedent on this type of hit was a two game suspension, however, there is an unwritten standard the NHL has used for years that two regular season games is equal to one playoff game. Thus, it can be viewed that Doughty earned a two game suspension and will serve it through one playoff game.
Doughty delivers a high forceful hit that makes Carrier’s head the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable. This is an illegal check to the head. -NHL Department of Player Saftey
It is important to note that while Doughty’s first point of contact is with Carrier’s arm, the illegal check to the head rule does not take into account what the first point of contact is. Rather the rule states: A hit resulting in contact with an opponent’s head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable is not permitted. -NHL Department of Player Saftey
Here's the full transcript from William Carrier's first meeting with the media following the hit that got Drew Doughty suspended for Game 2. pic.twitter.com/4hz5FVaGd2
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Ricefields
Hey it’s only Carrier and Lindberg that the kings have targeted with head shots. It ok right? And some people here think Reaves isn’t needed….. welcome to the playoffs folks.
Joe
Since the league actually suspended Doughty because of it, you don’t need an enforcer. The only reason to put him in would be to look for retribution on a player who was suspended for that game. Took too many penalties in game one, this would only result in more. The refs will now be watching a little closer and so will the department of player saftey. And with the Kings best defenseman out of the game, why would you want to make yourself slower? On top of that, he hasn’t played much late in a close game for the last few weeks. How much does Turk trust him?
Jeff
Fighting and enforcers are rare and have no place in playoff hockey. There is no reason to play Reaves unless we have several injuries. The last thing we need is Reaves taking a run at someone and taking a 5 minute major. The league will be on the look out especially now that Doughty was suspended.
Al Gibes
Looks like Carrier took a high stick to the head immediately prior to the illegal check by Doughty.
Jim
If Perron and Carrier can’t play, Reaves is the natural choice to fill in. He is surely not an ideal fit, but as we saw in Game 1, this is going to be a very physical series. Reaves will help us in that regard. While is production is almost non-existent, he is averaging less than :30 per game in the penalty box, which, if it continues, would further justify his inclusion in the lineup without Perron/Carrier.