Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri has been suspended for the remainder of the first round for his cross-check to the face of Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk in Game 2 of the teams' first-round series, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced after an in-person hearing Monday.
Nazem Kadri is suspended for the remainder of Round 1 (which means it's betwen three and five games, depending on series length) for cross-checking Jake DeBrusk #LeafsForever #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/PeW1zuYFQW
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) April 15, 2019
It marks the second year in a row where Kadri has been dealt a suspension in the playoffs, as he was given a three-game ban for a hit on former Bruins forward Tommy Wingels last season. It's the fifth time he's been suspended by the league in his 10-year career.
Kadri went after DeBrusk late in the third period Saturday night after the Bruins winger laid a hard hit on Leafs forward Patrick Marleau. Kadri and DeBrusk had gone at it numerous times throughout the first two games of the series before the veteran Leaf lost his cool with the cross-check, which also drew a five-minute major and an ejection.
DeBrusk left the game and underwent a series of tests but will be in Boston's lineup for Game 3 on Monday in Toronto. He's been held pointless in two contests so far.
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