NEW YORK — Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves has been suspended for five games without pay for an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.
Reaves also was fined $35,156.25, the NHL’s Department of Safety announced.
The incident took place at 2:38 of the second period in Toronto’s 4-3 overtime win over Edmonton.
Nurse had the puck along the end boards in his own zone when Reaves came in and hit him high.
Nurse’s helmet almost came off and he had blood on his face. The 29-year-old looked to be in a daze as he struggled to get up and was immediately given medical attention before exiting the game.
Reaves was assessed a match penalty for the hit.