Breaking: Dustin Byfuglien Suspended 4 Games
Byfuglien crosscheck (NHL)
Winnipeg Jets Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has been suspended 4 games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for this cross-check on Rangers forward JT Miller.
By the mere fact that Byfuglien had a phone hearing, the maximum suspension he could have received was five games. Thankfully the NHL got this one right and gave him four. In the explanation video, they cite the fact that it was cross-checking, to a player already out of the play, who was also defenseless. Byfuglien also has a history (just fines), but that also factored into the decision. You can view the DOPS video below.
Winnipeg currently holds the final wild card spot in the Western Conference, 2 points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings, who have played one fewer game, and five points ahead of the San Jose Sharks, who have played the same amount of games as the Jets. This could really hurt Winnipeg in their push to bring playoff hockey back to Winnipeg for the first time since 1996, with Byfuglien now having to watch from the press box until the Jets’ final game, which will be at home vs. the Calgary Flames; not to mention the fact that Winnipeg has some tough games before that.
As I mentioned in yesterday’s article, we are just thankful that JT Miller escaped without any injury.
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