Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has been suspended the final two games of the regular season for spearing Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin in the groin Tuesday night at TD Garden.
In announcing the penalty, the NHL Department of Player Safety said that stick infractions happen frequently in the league and are usually handled with on-ice penalties, but Marchand's situation was different.
"What causes this play to rise to the level of supplemental discipline is the intent, the force used and Marchand's substantial history of attacking the lower body of unsuspecting opponents," the department said.