Jeff Skinner Tossed from Game for Brutal Cross Check

Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner was tossed from their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins for crosschecking Jake Guentzel in the face with just 0:21 remaining in regulation.

Skinner received a two minute minor for slashing, a five minute major for cross checking along with a match penalty. Guentzel was called two minutes for slashing as well. Guentzel immediately went down to the Penguins' locker room, checking his mouth following the cross check.

Skinner was reacting to an apparent slash after a frozen puck by Guentzel on Sabre's netminder Craig Anderson.

All major and match penalties are reviewed by the NHL's Department of Player Safety (DoPS). Toronto Maple Leaf's star forward Auston Matthews received a two game suspension for a similar high cross check to Rasmus Dahlin last season.

Jeff Carter scored on the ensuing powerplay in overtime to seal the win for the Penguins. These teams play again tomorrow evening for the second half of a home and home series in Buffalo. The DoPs will certainly have a verdict on the play, if any, by puck drop tomorrow.

MUST READ

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks' Contract Offer to Brock Boeser Leaks Publicly

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Montreal Canadiens Star Undergoes Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Philadelphia Flyers Officially Looking to Trade Former 39-Goal Scorer

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Evander Kane May Be in His Final Days in Edmonton After Friedman Reveals New Information

Feb 28  |  By Mike Whitaker Maple Leafs Forward Pulls Back Trade Request

Feb 27  |  By Mike Whitaker Brad Marchand Goes Viral for Passionate Video Ahead of Four Nations Faceoff Final

Feb 27  |  By Mike Whitaker David Pastrnak's Latest Comments Suggest Bruins Will Be Big Sellers at the Deadline

Feb 27  |  By Julien Trekker 6-Foot-6 Winger Linked to the New York Rangers at the Trade Deadline

MORE STORIES