TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay’s Steve Downie and Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz each have been suspended for one game for hits they delivered during Game 3 of the first-round NHL playoff series between the Lightning and Penguins.
The league announced Tuesday that Downie was banned for Game 4 for leaving his feet and launching himself at the head of Pittsburgh’s Ben Lovejoy during the first period of the Lightning’s 3-2 loss on Monday night.
Kunitz was disciplined for elbowing Tampa Bay’s Simon Gagne in the head later in the period.
The suspensions will be served Wednesday night. The Penguins lead the series 2-1.
A delayed penalty was going to be assessed on Downie’s hit, but the Penguins scored before the Lightning regained possession of the puck.
Kunitz drew a minor penalty for elbowing Gagne about five minutes later.
