Zac Rinaldo avoided supplemental discipline for a questionable hit earlier this season. He was not so fortunate the second time around.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Tuesday suspended the Boston winger five games for what it deemed to be an illegal and avoidable hit delivered to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning center Cedric Paquette during Sunday’s 4-1 Bruins loss.
“Head is the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact is avoidable,” a league spokesman said in a video announcing the ban.
Rinaldo now has been suspended four times in his NHL career, totaling 19 games. The Bruins on Monday assigned him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Providence, and his latest suspension will not go into effect until he returns to an NHL roster.
Rinaldo has one goal and two assists in 52 games this season.
Thumbnail photo via Marc DesRosiers/USA TODAY Sports Images
