The Lightning will be without Erik Cernak for two games. The defenseman was suspended after elbowing Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin in Monday's 5-2 victory.
While Buffalo was on the power play, Cernak leaned in to make a play on the puck. To keep Dahlin from getting around him, Cernak tried to make a play on the player as well. He reached up with his elbow, making direct contact to the face.
Dahlin immediately fell to the ice, dropped his gloves and sticks, and left the game. The team shared after the game that Dahlin had been concussed. Sabres players questioned how the play went unpenalized, especially considering it drew blood.
Game officials missed the penalty, but the league's department of player safety stepped in.
"While we acknowledge the Lightning's argument that they believe Dahlin's glove drove Cernak's elbow upward and caused the head contact on the play, we disagree," the department's explanatory video says.
Dahlin's glove does make contact, but not enough to redirect Cernak's elbow. He's arm is already directed at Dahlin's head, whether that was his original intent.
As a sum result of the hit, the injury and Cernak's lack of history of being either fined or suspended, he will sit out the next two games. The Lightning play St. Louis on Wednesday, then visit Washington on Friday. Cernak will be eligible to return for Saturday's home game against Carolina.
