As the Anaheim Ducks head to Nashville for Games 3 and 4 of their series with the Predators, Bobby Ryan won't be in their lineup after the NHL announced this evening that he's has been suspended two games for this "kicking incident" on Jonathon Blum:
Here's NHL discipline czar Colin Campbell's statement on the incident:
"The actions by Ryan were both reckless and dangerous," said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. "While it was fortunate there was no injury to Blum on the play, the act of using your skate in this manner is unacceptable."
Ryan's intent may have been to try and knock the puck loose from Blum tying it up along the boards, but the NHL is obviously very serious about the manner in which players use their skates.
As we've said before, one playoff game is equal to two regular season games when it comes to suspensions in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and with the series tied 1-1, Ryan's absence makes the NHL's statement here even more serious.
Is two games about what you figured the punishment would be?
UPDATE: Via Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, here's Ryan talking about the suspension: