Columbus Blue Jackets forward Matt Calvert has been suspended one game for cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins forward Tom Kuhnhackl near the end of Game 2, the league has announced.
As the video shows, Calvert was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking Kuhnhackl's arm at the time of the incident.
Several factors combined to result in a decision to suspend Calvert, including the play being away from the puck, the force with which the blow was delivered and the fact Kuhnhackl was in a vulnerable position for a subsequent check.
The NHL also deemed the incident as "message sending" since it came in the closing minutes of a playoff game that was out of reach.
Calvert, therefore, will be forced to miss Game 3 of the series.
(Video courtesy: NHL.com)
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