The NHL Department of Player Saftey has decided that Evander Kane will be suspended for one game due to his cross-check of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare after the whistle in Game 1. Kane will miss Game 2 of the series tomorrow.

This cross-check occurs well after the whistle is blown and serves no purpose other than as a strike to an opponent’s head. This is not a hockey play. -NHL Department of Player Safety

While Kane asserts he did not intentionally strike at an opponents head, there are two cross-checks on this play. The first was delivered directly to Bellemare’s arm, then with no meaningful change of position by either player Kane delivers a second blow which strikes Bellemare in the head. -NHL Department of Player Safety

The Sharks will also be without Joe Thornton once again for Game 2. Head coach Pete DeBoer did say he expects Joonas Donskoi to play.