Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has been suspended for three games without pay for a late hit against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel on Tuesday.
Ristolainen skated backward through the neutral zone and hit Guentzel hard in the head when he didn't have the puck.
Guentzel initially attempted to skate to the bench before falling to the ice. He eventually made his way off with the assistance of a trainer but did not return to the game and was diagnosed with a concussion.
"It hurts," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's a good player. He's been a part of (our top) line that's been very good for us as of late. Hopefully it won't be too long (that he's out)."
Ristolainen was given a five-minute major penalty for interference as well as a game misconduct.
"I don't like the fact that he got ejected," Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. "I think it's an unfortunate play."
Ristolainen will forfeit $90,000 to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
