Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly suspended five games for cross-examination

TORONTO — The Maple Leafs began life without Morgan Rielly on a winning note Tuesday.

The NHL suspended Toronto's No. 1 defenseman for five games before Saturday's game against the St. Louis Blues for a head check on Senators forward Ridley Greig during moments of Ottawa's 5-3 win on Saturday.

Rielly, who was assessed a major penalty and a game-breaking violation, sent Greig up high after taking a shot into the empty net with 5.1 seconds left in regulation.

“This play occurs after a goal has been scored, is late in the game, and is for punitive purposes only,” the NHL's Department of Player Safety said in a video explanation of the suspension.

Rielly, who watched Toronto beat St. Louis 4-1, will miss most of six games in 10 days.

“It's tough,” Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe said Tuesday night. “I'm not going to sit here and complain about it. It's just missing one of your leaders and one of your main guys.

“That's why we got one victory tonight. We hope to continue that.”

The Senators also turned into a polarizing streak after beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 at home.

“The last few days have been completely different,” said Greig, who won Tuesday in the nation's capital. “Lots of messages, lots of phone calls. It's been interesting. I've been trying to stay offline for the last couple of days. Everyone has an opinion on it, maybe they love it or hate it. It doesn't matter to me.”

“I don't think you ever expect a guy to check you out on the face,” the 21-year-old added. “But I'm not sure that's what he meant to do.”

Rielly, 29, is available to return on Feb. 22 when the Leafs visit the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights.

Toronto entered Tuesday in a tie for the No. 1 wild-card slot in the East, tied with the Detroit Red Wings and four points ahead of the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.

Rielly's suspension is not the longest of an NHL season. Detroit forward David Perron was suspended for six games in December for a check on Senators defenseman Artem Zub.

Toronto went 14-2-1 without Rielly last season.

“You really didn't know what was coming for him,” said Leafs defenseman TJ Brodie, Rielly's regular partner on the team's top pairing, after the win over St. Louis.

“Losing him in such a short period of time is bad for us.

— With files from Darren Desaulniers in Ottawa.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 13, 2024.

—

Follow @JClipperton_CP on X.

Joshua Clipperton, Canadian Press