Edmonton Oilers left winger Matt Hendricks was suspended three games by the NHL on Monday for boarding Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad with this hit Sunday, as shared by NHL Player Safety.
Edmonton’s Matt Hendricks suspended three games for boarding Florida’s Aaron Ekblad. Video: https://t.co/RimEToTdLl
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 12, 2016
The suspension, a first for Hendricks in his 444-game career, will cost him $29,838.72, per Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.
As explained in the video, the "forceful" hit caused a "dangerous and violent collision with the boards," and "at no point [was] Ekblad eligible to be checked by Hendricks on [the] play" because he makes "no sudden movements just prior to or simultaneous with contact.