Carolina Hurricanes forward Nino Niederreiter will sit out one game for slashing Washington Capitals winger Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Saturday.

Niederreiter struck Jonsson-Fjallby in the face with his stick while the Capitals rookie was sitting on the bench during the Capitals' shootout win over the Hurricanes on Friday night. The officials handed Niederreiter a minor penalty.

The league cited Niederreiter's lack of significant disciplinary history in its decision, adding that the suspension is not more severe because of the lack of force Niederreiter exerted.

Niederreiter, who's in his 10th full NHL season, has been fined once. This is the 29-year-old's first suspension.

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