Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Nikita Nesterov was suspended two games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for his hit on Dallas Stars winger Curtis McKenzie, the league announced Friday evening.
Late in the second period of a 5-3 Stars win Thursday, Nesterov hit McKenzie from behind into the boards near centre ice. He was given five minutes and a game misconduct for checking from behind. The Stars scored once on the extended power play.
McKenzie, who was helped off the ice after writhing in pain, suffered what the Stars are calling a lower-body injury. He did not return to the game and was taken to a local hospital. Stars GM Jim Nill placed the forward on injured reserve Friday and McKenzie’s long-term status will be revealed after he gets re-evaluated by the Stars’ doctors
