Sabres' Dell to have hearing after elbowing Senators' Batherson

Ottawa Senators left wing Zach Sanford lifts the puck past Buffalo Sabres goaltender Aaron Dell and over the net during second period NHL action, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/CP)

Buffalo Sabres' goaltender Aaron Dell is scheduled to have a hearing after sending Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson awkwardly into the boards with an elbow on Tuesday, NHL Player Safety has announced.

The incident occurred in the first period. Batherson skated around the net as Dell, with an elbow, sent the winger feet-first into the boards. No penalty was called, and the Senators would go on to win 5-0.

"I was just trying to buy some time for my defenceman and step into his lane," Dell said after the game. "I hope he's all right. I wasn't trying to hurt anybody."

But Senators head coach D.J. Smith expects Batherson to miss an extended period of time.

Batherson is in the midst of an outstanding season. In 31 games, the 23-year-old has 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points while earning the nod for the All-Star Game.

Dell, then with the San Jose Sharks, was the focal point of a similar incident in 2019, involving Vegas Golden Knight Mark Stone.

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