Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly served a five-game suspension

NEW YORK – The NHL has suspended Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly Five games to check against Ottawa Senators forward Ridley Greig.

Rielly Greig was praised after the Senators forward hit an empty-net shot with 5.1 seconds left in Ottawa's 5-3 win over Toronto on Saturday night.

Rielly was heavily penalized for counter-checking and foul play.

The NHL's decision came before the St. Louis Blues were hosted in Toronto on Tuesday night.

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

Rielly He will miss most of six games in 10 days for the Maple Leafs, who are trying to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

He could return when the Maple Leafs visit the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 22.

Toronto entered Tuesday's game holding the first wild card in the Eastern Conference, tied with Detroit and four points ahead of the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.

RiellyHis suspension is not the longest of the season. Detroit forward David Perron was suspended six games in December for a similar investigation to Senators defenseman Artem Zub.

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