As expected, Sabres enforcer John Scott has been offered an in-person hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety after his hit to the head of Loui Eriksson during Wednesday’s 5-2 Bruins win.
The hearing means that Scott’s punishment for the illegal hit, which knocked Eriksson out of the game in the third period, may exceed five games. For a skater with Scott’s history of playing outside the rules, it would not be surprising if NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan handed down a suspension in the five-to-10-game range.
Scott has racked up 309 penalty minutes in 186 career games while scoring just five points (one goal, four assists).
Eriksson did not return to the ice after being helped off by teammates, and Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli announced after the game that the winger would not travel home with the team.
“Loui is staying overnight in Buffalo for precautionary reasons,” Chiarelli told reporters. “He is expected to return to Boston on Thursday.”
The date and time for Scott’s hearing have not yet been announced. The Bruins host the Pacific Divison-leading Sharks on Thursday night at TD Garden.
See the hit in question in the video below.
