Dustin Byfuglien will receive no supplemental discipline for his hit Sunday on Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher.
After hearing Byfuglien’s side of the story, the NHL ruled today that Gallagher’s head was not the “main point of contact” in the collision, differentiating it from suspension-worthy hits like Ottawa’s Mark Stone on Detroit’s Landon Ferraro.
Many were expecting Byfuglien to face further discipline after the big Jets defenseman had reportedly been warned multiple times already this season. He received only a minor penalty for boarding Minnesota’s Jason Pominville on Oct. 25. He was also penalized (charging) for leveling St. Louis defenseman Jay Bouwmeester on Oct. 18.
The decision to not suspend Byfuglien also comes not long after the NHL decided not to suspend Boston’s Zac Rinaldo for a controversial hit.
As for Byfuglien warnings this season. History doesn't factor in until a decision to suspend is determined. No suspension, so case closed.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 3, 2015