Nazem Kadri suspended 3 games for illegal hit

Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri was suspended for three games for his hit on Boston Bruins forward Tommy Wingels during Game 1 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

Kadri was ejected for his hit along the boards midway through the third period of Toronto’s 5-1 loss to Boston on Thursday night, retaliating for Wingels hitting Kadri’s teammate Mitch Marner along the boards.

NHL Player Safety described the hit in its ruling:

“Wingels falls to the ice as he chips the puck up the wall. Kadri sees Wingels has fallen and, with sufficient time to adjust his course or minimize the force, instead drives recklessly into the defenseless Wingels, causing his head to dangerously impact the boards.”

Kadri said after Game 1 that Wingels falling to the ice made the hit look worse than intended:

The NHL disagreed:

“It is important to note that Kadri is in control of this hit at all times. While Wingels falling might have been unanticipated, Kadri has enough time to recognize Wingels is on his knees and in a defenseless position before committing to the hit.”

The NHL in its statement considered Kadri’s history as well, with three previous suspensions in his career.

“This is a forceful and illegal hit delivered on a defenseless opponent for the purpose of retribution and message sending, and such plays will not be tolerated.”

The Maple Leafs and Bruins resume their best-of-7 series on Saturday night in Boston, with the Bruins leading the series 1-0.