Maple Leafs player Morgan Rielly has been suspended for 5 games

The NHL has suspended Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly for five games for a check on the head of Ottawa Senators forward Ridley Greig.

Rielly high-checked Greig after the Senators forward made a shot into an empty net with 5.1 seconds left in Ottawa's 5-3 win over Toronto on Saturday night.

Rielly received a major penalty for cross-checking and a game violation.

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

Rielly will miss most of six games in 10 days for the Maple Leafs, who are trying to hold on to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Rielly's suspension matches his longest of the season. Detroit forward David Perron was suspended for six games in December for a check on Senators defenseman Artem Zub.

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