LOS ANGELES _ With the multigame suspension handed out to left wing Tanner Pearson, the Los Angeles Kings will be without two of their top six forwards to start the regular season.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety on Wednesday suspended Pearson for four games _ two preseason and two regular-season contests _ for an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brandon Davidson.
The incident occurred in Sunday's preseason game between the Kings and the Oilers at Vernon, Canada. Pearson was ejected, and Davidson left the game and did not return.
This is the first time Pearson, who also will lose $15,555 in salary, has been suspended or fined by the league. The hearing with the league, via telephone, was held Wednesday morning.
Already, the Kings were without winger Marian Gaborik, who will be out for several more weeks after suffering a foot injury during the World Cup last month.
The Kings have two more preseason games, both at Las Vegas, on Friday and Saturday. Their regular-season opener is at San Jose on Wednesday, Oct. 12, and they host the Philadelphia Flyers at Staples Center on Oct. 14.
Pearson will be eligible to return to action on Oct. 18 at Minnesota.
"The way the game is now ... it's one of those things," Pearson said on Wednesday. "It happened. It's over with. And I've got to pay the consequences."
