Jesse Puljujarvi of the Florida Panthers is facing potential suspension at the start of the NHL playoffs.
The Panthers forward received a match penalty during Tuesday`s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which Florida lost 5-1. The penalty was for an illegal check to the head of Lightning winger Mitchell Chaffee.
The incident occurred in the third period with 11:40 remaining on the clock. Chaffee was in the offensive zone when Puljujarvi crossed into his path and made contact with Chaffee`s head with his shoulder, causing the Lightning player to fall to the ice.
Immediately following the hit, a scrum broke out between the two teams, leading to a fight between Florida`s Nico Sturm and Tampa Bay`s Zemgus Girgensons.
Tristan Blackwood