New York Rangers forward Daniel Carcillo was suspended 10 games by the NHL on Friday for physically abusing an official during the first period of Thursday night’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Montreal Canadiens.
A linesman was trying to restrain Carcillo after teammate Derek Dorsett was engaging in a fight with Canadiens forward Brandon Prust. Carcillo made physical contact with the official, which resulted in an ejection.
According to NHL rule 40.3, a suspension will be assessed to “any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner, which physical force is applied without intent to injure, or who spits on an official.”
[tweet https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/469923569493757952 align=”center”]
If the suspension holds, or Carcillo decides not to appeal, he still could return to the New York lineup this postseason. The Rangers could play a maximum of 11 more games, which means Carcillo would be eligible to return to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. For that to happen, the Blueshirts would need to eliminate the Canadiens in seven games.
As an upcoming unrestricted free agent, it’s possible Carcillo has played his last game for the Rangers.
Prust has a hearing with the NHL to discuss his late hit on Rangers forward Derek Stepan from Game 3.
