New York Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller was handed a match penalty and ejected from Sunday's contest against the Los Angeles Kings after spitting on Drew Doughty.

Miller issued an apology Monday on Twitter, insisting the incident was accidental.

The NHL Department of Player Safety has punished players for spitting on an opponent before. Garnet Hathaway, then a member of the Washington Capitals, was banned for three games in 2019.

Miller's exit in the first period dropped the Rangers to 15 skaters and four defensemen. New York dressed Braden Schneider and Ryan Carpenter, but neither player is taking shifts to protect them from injury.

The Rangers are reportedly pushing toward finalizing a trade for Patrick Kane, and sending Schneider or Carpenter to the AHL after the contest helps their cap flexibility. Injured players cannot be assigned to the minors.

New York entered the game without blue-liner Ryan Lindgren, who was injured Saturday.

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