The Chicago Blackhawks entered Tuesday night’s meeting versus the Minnesota Wild without the services of defenceman Brent Seabrook, who is out with an illness, and they’ll finish the game without Duncan Keith as well.
Keith was ejected halfway through the first period after catching Wild forward Charlie Coyle across the face with his stick.
Keith hit the ice after taking a check from Coyle. Lying on his back, Keith swung his stick in retaliation and left Coyle bloodied and sporting a crooked nose with the impact. Keith was assessed a match penalty for intent to injure and the Blackhawks had to kill off a five-minute major.
The two-time Norris Trophy winner can expect to hear from the NHL’s department of player safety for his transgression.
Keith was suspended one game for high-sticking Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter during Game 3 of the Western Conference final in 2013. He was also handed a five-game suspension for an elbow to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin in March of 2012.
Keith leads Blackhawks blue-liners in scoring with nine goals and 43 points in 66 games this season.
