Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb will serve a one-game suspension for Game 6 of the Golden Knights’ second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks, the NHL’s department of player safety announced Wednesday after a hearing.
McNabb was called for a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct penalty for a first-period hit on Anaheim forward Ryan Poehling in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win over the Ducks.
Poehling, who was pressed against the boards and did not see the hit coming, appeared to hit the back of his head against the glass. He had to be helped off the ice by teammates and did not return to the game.
“It is important to note that Poehling is in no way eligible to be checked on this play,” the NHL’s Department of Player Safety said in a video discussing McNabb’s suspension. “With the puck having long been cleared away from Poehling, and with sufficient time to elect to avoid or minimize contact, McNabb instead finishes the hit with considerable force.”
Ducks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters Wednesday that Poehling will miss at least Game 6 and quite possibly more should Anaheim keep the series alive. Vegas took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series with Tuesday’s win and looks to end the series Thursday at Anaheim.
This is the first suspension of McNabb’s career, which dates back to 2011. He leads all Vegas defensemen with 23 hits and is second on the team with 22 blocked shots this postseason.
