WASHINGTON — Hawks center Dave Bolland is “doubtful” for Sunday’s game against the Washington Capitals after suffering a concussion when Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina elbowed him in the back of the head.
The play (video here) happened at 2:09 of the first period of the Hawks’ shootout loss Wednesday against the Lightning. Bolland played most of the period, but didn’t return for the second.
Kubina wasn’t assessed a penalty on the play by referees Marc Joannette and Tim Peel. But he was suspended three games by the league Thursday. He is eligible to return March 17 at Montreal. He will forfeit $60,096.76.
“I wasn’t happy with the hit,” coach Joel Quenneville said Friday after practice at the Verizon Center. “We didn’t get any benefit out of it. We lose a player, we don’t get a power play out of it or anything like that. It was a dangerous hit. The league knows what the comparables are and took action. I wasn’t happy with the hit at all.
“I would say that’s one, when you look at it, it’s probably exactly the type of hit they talk about that they don’t want in the game.”
In other injury news, Brian Campbell (leg) is doing much better after sitting out the loss to the Lightning.
“[Campbell] really progressed,” Quenneville said. “We’re happy with the way he feels.”
Campbell, Duncan Keith (hand) and Niklas Hjalmarsson (hand) all sat out practice Friday, but could return to the ice as soon as Saturday.
