Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri has been suspended eight games by the NHL for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues defenceman Justin Faulk.
The incident occurred Wednesday night in the third period of Game 2 of the first-round series between the Avalanche and Blues when Kadri struck Faulk’s head with his shoulder as the Faulk was attempting to take a shot on goal.
After being slow to get up, Faulk was eventually able to head to the St. Louis locker room under his own power but did not return to the game. Kadri was given a match penalty and a game misconduct for the hit.
This is not Kadri’s first suspension during the post-season. As a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kadri was banned for the remainder of the first-round after a Game 2 cross-check on Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk.
The Maple Leafs would eventually lose the series in seven games and Kadri was traded to Colorado that off-season.
