Boston Bruins: David Pastrnak Suspended For Two Games

Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak has been suspended two games for his hit on Rangers Dan Girardi.

If the Boston Bruins didn’t have enough problems as is, they’ve now got to work without their leading goal scorer for the next two games. Earlier this afternoon the NHL Department of Player Safety decided that Pastrnak’s hit on Girardi was an illegal check to the head and it warranted a two-game suspension.

In a conversation with other hockey writers that evening, I thought Pasta was going to get a couple of games for it. Not because I thought the hit was high or illegal, but that the league was just going to consider any hit on the head to be a suspension worthy infraction.

I still think it’s a bad call by the DoPS. Then again, most fans think the Department of Player Safety gets it wrong at least half the time.  This means the Pastrnak will be breaking out his checkbook to pay for this hit.

According to the terms of the league’s most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Pastrnak will forfeit $10,277.78. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. The Bruins lost that game to the Rangers 5-2.

The Bruins top line was one of the few good things the B’s have had going for them this season. Pastrnak currently leads the team with five goals, and is second in overall scoring with eight points. Pastrnak’s absence will be keenly felt as the Bruins continue to try to right the ship to snap a three game losing streak.

The Bruins will do what they can to get by in the meantime. The Bruins might decided to move Danton Heinen or Austin Czarnik up to the Bergeron line. They could also go with putting Ryan Spooner or David Backes (if the elbow is healed) up there as well.