The NHL’s department of player safety suspended Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov for three games Friday for elbowing New York Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh in the head.
Komarov blindsided McDonagh with a chicken wing at 18:58 of the first period during New York’s win Thursday at Air Canada Centre. He was given a match penalty for illegal check to the head. Watch the play above.
The captain remained on the Rangers bench until the end of the period and then left due to precautionary reasons.
“My game is physical, and things like this happen. It’s hockey,” Komarov said Friday. “I’m not trying to hurt people.”
Komarov said he had not yet reached out to McDonagh, with whom he shared a dressing room a few weeks ago at the All-Star Game.
McDonagh recently missed four games due to a concussion suffered when he was sucker-punched by Wayne Simmonds. Simmonds was not called for a hearing, which incensed Rangers coach Alain Vigneault.
Based on his average annual salary, Komarov will forfeit $47,580.66 as a result of the suspension. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
