Canadiens Forward Suspended Two Games for Hit

On Monday afternoon, the NHL Player Safety announced that Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Pezzetta would be suspended two games for an illegal check to the head on Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie.

Montreal’s Michael Pezzetta has been suspended for two games for an Illegal Check to the Head on Washington’s T.J. Oshie. https://t.co/AOkhrJBlnM
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 18, 2022

The hit came late in the third period of Saturday night's 8-4 win by the Capitals. At the time, Pezzetta was given a two-minute minor for illegal check to the head. Following the game, the Player Safety Department deemed that it was a suspendable offense as the hit had a direct contact to Oshie's head and could be deemed avoidable. With that being said, it qualifies as a suspension according to NHL Player Safety.

As a result, Pezzetta will miss the next two Canadiens games against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, and the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. This is the Habs rookie's first NHL suspension as there hasn't been any prior discipline in the league before. However, he has previously been suspended one game during his time in the AHL with the Laval Rocket for a similar play on December 6th 2019. As well as another four-game suspension during his time with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL back 2016 for another check to the head. With his history of head shots, Pezzetta will need to be more careful with his checks to avoid much more severe punishment in the future at the pro level.

This season, the rugged Habs forward leads the team in penalty minutes with 74 in 47 games played in the NHL. He is also second on the team in hits with 143 which actually leads all forwards. Despite a rough season for the Canadiens, Pezzetta has brought a nice spark of energy to the team with his physical play.