If the Predators, who hold a 3-1 lead, want to advance in their first-round playoff series against the Avalanche on Friday, they will have to do it without former Blackhawks forward Ryan Hartman.
The NHL Department of Player Safety slapped Hartman with a one-game suspension Thursday for illegally checking Avalanche forward Carl Soderberg in Game 4 the previous night.
Hartman, 23, will miss Game 5 Friday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. This is his first suspension at the NHL level.
During the third period in the Predators’ 3-2 win Wednesday, Hartman delivered a clear blow to Soderberg’s head. The on-ice officials gave Hartman a two-minute minor.
You can watch the hit below:
The NHL Department of Player Safety has announced a hearing for the #Preds Ryan Hartman for an illegal check to the head on #Avalanche F Carl Soderberg during Game 4 Wednesday night. pic.twitter.com/S6pQ1kVF0O
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 Canada 🇨🇦 (@sportingnewsca) April 19, 2018
The Hawks dealt Hartman at the trade deadline in February. Hartman has 11 goals and 20 assists this season, eight of those goals were scored during his 56 games with the Hawks.
