Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty, who became well-known amongst Bruins fans for Zdeno Chara's hit on him last season, has received a three-game suspension for delivering an illegal hit to the head of Penguins defenseman Kris Letang.
Pacioretty hit Letang with an elbow during the third period of Saturday night's game at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Letang was skating across the high slot with his head down when Pacioretty came up high with an elbow, which sent the Pittsburgh defenseman spinning to the ice and blood flowing from his face.
The hit happened with the score tied 3-3. Letang reportedly suffered a broken nose, but he returned in overtime to score the game-winner for the Penguins.
Pacioretty's three-game suspension, handed down by league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan, will be without pay. Under the terms of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, and based on Pacioretty's average annual salary, he will forfeit $26,351.34, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Check out Pacioretty's hit on Letang, and then Shanahan's explanation of the suspension in the videos below.
