Canadiens rookie forward Juraj Slafkovsky has been suspended for two games for boarding Red Wings forward Matt Luff, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Wednesday.
The play occurred during the third period of Montreal's 3-2 shootout win over Detroit Tuesday night. Slafkovsky was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the dangerous hit on Luff.
Slafkovsky with a terrible hit from behind on Luff, who is hurt & bloodied. 5 minute major + game misconduct to Slafkovsky.
— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) November 9, 2022
Luff JUST had 16 stitches and lost teeth after taking a puck to the face. Brutal. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/0Vg0FHdAP2
"The onus is on Slafkovsky to deliver the check in legal fashion, minimize the force of the contact or avoid the hit entirely," the Player Safety department stated in its video. "Instead, he hits Luff from behind, driving him dangerously into the boards, resulting in injury."
Luff left the game and did not return. The Red Wings announced on Wednesday that he will have surgery and is going to be out 10-to-12 weeks with an upper-body injury.
It is the first time that Slafkovsky, 18, has faced discipline from the NHL Department of Player Safety. The No. 1 pick from the 2022 draft has skated in 10 games for Montreal this year, recording three goals in that span.
Juraj Slafkovsky suspension details
Slafkovsky has been handed a two-game suspension for boarding. He will miss the next two games for Montreal, which are a Nov. 9 contest against the Canucks and a Nov. 12 game against the Penguins.
The forward will be able to return for the Nov. 15 matchup with the Devils.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 9 | vs. Canucks | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 12 | vs. Penguins | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 15 | vs. Devils | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 17 | at Blue Jackets | 7 p.m. |
| Nov. 19 | vs. Flyers | 7 p.m. |
Juraj Slafkovsky suspension history
This is the first time that Slafkovsky has been disciplined by the NHL Department of Player Safety.
He is in his first season with the Canadiens.
