Wild’s Rupp suspended four games for Oshie hit

HC's John Shannon predicts Wild's Mike Rupp will get 3 or 4 games for this hit to T.J. Oshie's head, and hopes that these two teams will meet in the first round of the playoffs.

Minnesota Wild forward Mike Rupp has been suspended four games by the NHL department of player safety for his hit on St. Louis Blues winger T.J. Oshie.

Rupp, playing in his first game since Feb. 1, received a match penalty for an illegal check to the head at 10:30 of the second period after appearing to hit Oshie in the chin with his shoulder. Oshie left the game and did not return.

"Obviously Oshie’s out," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock told reporters after the game. "Like everybody else this time of year, he’s day-to-day, but certainly a tough hit to take right now."

Rupp will lose $7,692.31 for the four-game suspension, which includes the regular-season finale on Sunday and the Wild’s first three playoff games.

The Wild won the game 4-2.

With files from Associated Press

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