Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was suspended for one game by the NHL department of player safety on Tuesday.
The suspension is a result of a hit that Letang gave Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson in Monday night’s game. During the first period of the game Letang delivered a dangerous high hit to Johansson and was given a minor interference penalty for it, according to ESPN. Johansson returned to the game at the start of the second period but complained of a sore neck.
"It is the combination of the lateness of the hit and the significant head contact that causes this hit to rise to the level of supplemental discipline,” the video released by the NHL said of the suspension.
Letang has been fined before once and this is the second suspension in his career. He has one goal and seven points in the playoffs, according to USA Today. Justin Schultz is expected to fill in for Letang during the suspension. Letang is the second Penguins defenseman to be out this series, joining Olli Maatta who was hit by Capitals forward Brooks Orpik in Game 2. Orpik was suspended for three games for that hit on Maatta.
The Penguins lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.
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