The NHL suspended Penguins winger Tom Sestito four games for his hit on Jets defenseman Toby Enstrom in the first period of the Penguins’ 7-4 win Wednesday.
The league defined the hit as boarding and said Sestito had ample time to avoid or lessen the impact of the hit. His previous suspension in 2011 also played a factor, as did the fact that Enstrom was injured on the play.
After the Penguins’ practice in Edmonton Thursday, coach Mike Sullivan defended Sestito’s physical style of play, and said Penguins’ skill players genuinely do feel more comfortable playing their game when Sestito is in the lineup.