Claude Giroux Suspended 1 Game For Hit On Dainius Zubrus

Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux has been suspended one game by the NHL for his head shot on New Jersey Devils forward Dainius Zubrus. The hit occured late in the second period of Sunday’s Game 4 between the clubs at Prudential Center.

The news was announced the Flyers on Monday afternoon following Giroux’s hearing with the NHL’s chief of player safety, Brendan Shanahan. The news could come as a little bit of a surprise given the lack of injury on the play to Zubrus and the fact that Giroux is not a repeat offender, but the head was undoubtedly the principal point of contact on this hit, and perhaps the NHL sees this as a chance to take a stand.

Giroux’s hit at the 19:56 mark of the second was a direct blow from the blindside to Zubrus’ head. He was given a two minute minor penalty for head contact, a penalty that includes no stipulation for a major penalty or a game misconduct but does leave the possibility of separate supplementary discipline.

Puck is gone. Primary point of contact is the head. Zubrus seemed to be alright afterward, but we’ll have to see if any injury comes out of this. It’s an illegal hit, and if this were the regular season, it’d probably be a suspendable hit. As we’ve learned in these playoffs, though, the NHL is reluctant to toss out star players in these situations, and the two-minute minor penalty for head contact might be the only discipline resulting from the play.