Winnipeg Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba was suspended two games by the NHL’s department of player safety on Monday for his high hit on Ottawa’s Mark Stone.
Trouba clipped Stone with an illegal check to the head in the third period of Winnipeg’s 3-2 victory on Sunday and was dealt a two-minute minor penalty.
Stone did not return to the game. His status is unknown.
“It’s a clear hit to the head with the shoulder,” Senators coach Guy Boucher told reporters. “It’s one of the best players in the league, so, I mean, I think everybody saw the same thing.”
The Senators also lost forwards Mike Hoffman and Tommy Wingels to injury in the same game.
The Jets were on the receiving end of a similar play Thursday in Pittsburgh, one that did not draw discipline beyond a two-minute interference minor.
Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin left his feet to shoulder Jets captain Blake Wheeler in the head. Like Stone, Wheeler did not have the puck at the time.
“It’s a fast game out there,” Senators captain Erik Karlsson said.
“[The referees] see the same things we do. It was a scoring play, and the play had moved on. I think that they can’t see exactly what happens out there. We’re lucky we can watch replays and review. It’s a head shot. Whether it’s dirty or not, I don’t know.”
Based on his average annual salary, Trouba will forfeit $33,333.34 as a result of the two-game ban.
Here is the explanation from the department of player safety:
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