It felt inevitable but hurts nonetheless. Matt Niskanen has been suspended for one game after cross-checking Brendan Gallagher during Wednesday’s loss to the Canadiens. Niskanen broke the jaw of Gallagher in the process, so both teams will be without key players for a crucial game 6.
Niskanen did struggle last game. He was caught napping on several occasions and it was Carter Hart who paid the ultimate price. Frustration built and if there was ever a player who was going to get a rise out of him, it would’ve been the mouthiest Canadien on the ice – Brendan Gallagher, who many compare to Travis Konecny in terms of talking trash to opponents.