New York Rangers’ John Moore suspended for two games for hit on Montreal’s Dale Weise

In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoff series, Rangers’ defenseman John Moore was given a major penalty for a blindside, high hit on Montreal’s Dale Weise. Moore had a disciplinary hearing scheduled at 2:30 p.m. with the NHL on Wednesday.

Moore has been suspended for two games for the illegal check to Weise’s head. He hit Weise with a blindside open-ice hit at 10:41 of the third period. He was given a major penalty and was ejected from the game.

Weise’s helmet was knocked off after the hit, and he was unsteady when he stood up. Teammate P.K. Subban helped him up, and supported him to the bench. Weise went to the locker room for treatment but returned to the bench late in the period.

The hit was almost identical to Montreal forward Brandon Prust’s hit on Ranger Derek Stepan in Game 3. However, Prust did not receive a penalty. Canadiens’ forward Brendan Gallagher told the National Post, National Post “To me, it’s worse than the Prusty hit. I thought Prusty got (Stepan) in the chest. (Moore) hits Weise from the blind side, which is dangerous, as well.”

The NHL Department of Player Safety explained that Moore drove upwards when he hit Weise, making Weise’s head the primary point of contact. The NHL said that it was Moore’s responsibility to avoid contact with Weise’s head.

Global News Global News reports that Rangers’ coach Alain Vigneault told reporters, “It probably warrants the penalty that was given on the ice. Other than that, I don’t see what else it could warrant, but I’ve been surprised before. We’ll see what happens.”

This is the second suspension the Rangers have seen this series. Dan Carcillo was banned for 10 games for hitting a linesman after the Prust hit in Game 3.