In the third period of last night's game between the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders, Habs forward Brendan Gallagher delivered a vicious elbow to the head of Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech.
With eight minutes to play in the period and the Habs up 3-1, Gallagher skated across the ice and caught Pelech with a nasty elbow to his head that sent the Islanders blueliner to the ice where he remained for a few moments. Pelech was able to skate off the ice under his own power after a visit from the Islanders training staff, but did not return to the game. Gallagher was assessed a major and game misconduct for an illegal check to the head on the play.
Although Gallagher has never been suspended before, he is likely going to face a heavy suspension for this hit. Not only is it a deliberate attempt to hit Pelech in the head, but it is also a blindside hit, something the league has made a point to remove from the game. There is no word on whether Gallagher will have a phone or in-person hearing with the Department of Player Safety yet, but it is almost a guarantee it will be an in-person hearing to give Player Safety the ability to suspend the 31-year-old for more than 5 games. I wouldn't be shocked if this resulted in the longest suspension of the season (if you exclude Shane Pinto's 41-game suspension for gambling).
