Toronto Maple Leafs brace for stretch without Morgan Rielly

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to play their next few games without top defenseman Morgan Rielly, who could face a lengthy suspension.

He has an in-person hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Tuesday in New York. A private hearing would allow the league to suspend Rielly for six or more games.

Rielly had high praise for Ridley Greig for the Ottawa Senators kicker who scored an empty net shot with 5.1 seconds left in the teams' game Saturday night.

“I think it definitely deserved the reaction,” teammate and All-Star Auston Matthews said after practice Monday. “Morgan is not a bad player and not a dirty person. I think his approach to her was something that was bound to happen. Someone was going to do it, especially after a performance like that. I don't think it's necessary to go down there and have a 'toughest shot competition' at the net.”

Toronto hosts the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night and plays six games over the next 10 days. If Rielly gets six games, it would match the longest suspension handed out this season.

“I expected a fine, a one-game (suspension) maximum,” Leafs defenseman Ryan Reaves said. “The boy got up later, (and he was) completely fine. I think this should also be taken into account.”

Reeves, 37, called Rielly's reaction “appropriate.”

“Some guy slaps us in the net, are you going to play cake with him?” No, the message must have been sent,” Reeves said. “The code has changed a little bit, the game has changed a lot and it's unfortunate that a young kid like that can get away with something like that and then one of our best players gets suspended for it.”

Rielly, 29, has no disciplinary record in his 11-year professional career. Greig, 21, son of former NHL player Mark Greig, is in his first full NHL season.

Senators coach Jacques Martin said it didn't matter how Greig scored the empty net goal and wasn't happy with Rielly's actions.

“I don't think it's a hockey game,” Martin said after the game. “I don't know if it's frustration or something, but it's not part of the game.”

Ottawa's Josh Norris said he understands Rielly's frustration, even if he's not a fan of the play.

“I liked it, but I'm sure if we were on the other side, I don't know if we would have liked it as well,” Norris said. “It's over. I think it was fun.”

Veteran striker Claude Giroux said it was the result of an intense game.

“Emotions get to you sometimes,” Giroud said. “Obviously I don't like him facing up there, but there's not much to say. Sometimes these things happen.”

It's the Leafs, trying to hold on to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, dealing with life without Rielly.

“We all have to get those minutes,” point guard Mark Giordano said. “These are big minutes. He plays in any situation. He was really underrated throughout the league this year. I think we all know what he's going to do, but I think he's been really good in all areas of the game this year. A big part of our team, obviously.