The NHL suspended Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon two games for his hit on Coyotes forward Derek Stepan.
The hit initially drew a match penalty during Boston’s 4-2 win on Saturday. The Department of Player Safety notes that Stepan’s head was the main point of contact, and could have been avoided. Additionally, the video explains that Lauzon elevated “unnecessarily,” thus making head contact.
Lauzon lacks a history of NHL suspensions, although Saturday marked just his 23rd game at this level. While it wasn’t mentioned in the video, Stepan returning to the game may have limited the suspension.
The league needed a quick turnaround on the decision, as the Bruins are facing the Red Wings on NBC (stream here) on Sunday.
Bruins fans responded to the announcement by sharing a Lawson Crouse hit on Charlie McAvoy from that same game:
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.