As expected, the NHL Department of Player Safety decided that Dallas Stars center Cody Eakin deserved punishment for his hit on New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist on Thursday.
Cody Eakin suspended 4 games for charging Henrik Lundqvist
The NHL offered its inevitable ruling on his controversial hit.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
And, as expected, that punishment was harsh.
The NHL handed down its ruling on Friday after meeting with Eakin earlier in the day, suspending the Stars forward four games without pay.
Eakin will forfeit $85,555.56 of his salary, which will go straight to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. This is Eakin’s first suspension.
Although the hit left Lundqvist dazed on the ice for a few scary moments, he eventually returned to shut out the Stars in a 2-0 win. It was his first start in four games, the longest stretch of benching in his career.
The league’s response will likely please Rangers coach Alain Vigneault, who spoke out against the hit after the game.
For his part, Eakin said he didn’t intend to hurt Lundqvist at all in a rather sullen post-game interview.
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