Islanders' Jonathan Drouin Banned: NHL Cracks Down on Cross-Check to Penguins' Dewar

The intensity of NHL rivalry sometimes boils over, and in a recent clash between the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins, it certainly did. Forward Jonathan Drouin of the Islanders has been slapped with a one-game suspension without pay by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, a direct consequence of an egregious cross-check on Penguins forward Connor Dewar.

The incident, which occurred at the 12:47 mark of the third period, sent ripples across the ice and has now resulted in a benching for Drouin.

The league's disciplinary arm meticulously reviewed the play, ultimately determining that Drouin’s action warranted a penalty beyond the in-game call. While Drouin's disciplinary record has been clean prior to this event, the nature of the contact was deemed too severe to overlook.

According to the Department of Player Safety’s official ruling, the primary concern was the "forceful contact" delivered directly to Dewar's "neck/head" area.

Such plays are consistently met with stern action by the league to ensure player safety. The immediate consequence for Drouin, beyond missing a crucial game, is a forfeiture of $28,906.25 in salary. This amount is calculated based on his average annual salary and the number of games in the season, underscoring the financial repercussions of such disciplinary actions.

This suspension highlights the NHL's ongoing commitment to protecting its athletes from dangerous plays.

While Drouin will undoubtedly feel the sting of missing a game and the financial hit, the message from the league is clear: forceful and direct contact to the head and neck, even in the heat of battle, will not be tolerated. This incident adds another layer of drama to the Islanders-Penguins saga and serves as a reminder of the fine line players walk between aggressive play and unacceptable conduct.