Jets D Neal Pionk earns multi-game suspension

The NHL's Department of Player Safety completed its hearing with Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk on Monday, with the result being a two-game suspension for his knee-on-knee hit on Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin.

Sandin suffered an injury on the play, needed help to get off the ice, and did not return to the game. At this point, it appears as though Sandin will miss at least 2-3 weeks, per TSN's Chris Johnston.

Pionk nearly caught Leafs forward Mitch Marner with a similar knee-on-knee hit last season, though Marner narrowly escaped the same fate as Sandin faced on Sunday.

Leafs forward Jason Spezza is still awaiting his hearing for a retaliatory hit on Pionk, which is set to take place on Tuesday, via Zoom.

Due to Spezza's hearing being in-person, the Department of Player Safety has the option of suspending the veteran forward 5 or more games.

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