Boston Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy has been suspended four games for his illegal check to the head and interference on Florida Panthers defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Monday's game, the NHL announced Tuesday.
McAvoy received a five-minute match penalty and was ejected from the game after what looked like a blind-side hit to Ekman-Larsson's head.
In a video explaining the decision, the Department of Player Safety said it was an illegal hit to the head that could have been avoided.
"McAvoy chooses an angle of approach that cuts across the front of Ekman-Larsson's body, missing his core and picking his head," the NHL says.
Ekman-Larsson went down initially but remained in the game after the hit.
The illegal check occurred in the third period shortly after McAvoy scored the game-tying goal.
The 25-year-old defenceman has been suspended once previously in his seven years with the Bruins, when he got one game for a hit to the head of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson in the 2019 playoffs.
McAvoy will be eligible to return Nov. 11 against the Montreal Canadiens after missing games against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars and New York Islanders.
McAvoy has two goals and six assists in nine games this year for the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins.
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