NHL investigating Shaw's possible homophobic slur

Andrew Shaw's outburst has drawn the attention of the NHL.

The Chicago Blackhawks winger appeared to direct a homophobic slur at an official on two separate occasions after being assessed an interference penalty with 2:04 remaining late in Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night.

"Yes, we are looking into it, and no we can't comment on it until that process is complete," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an email to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.

The league has also informed the Blackhawks that it is investigating Shaw's comments, ESPN's Craig Custance reports.

Related: Shaw on whether he directed homophobic slur at ref: 'I don't know what I said'

The first instance came after the whistle.

The second came while Shaw was in the penalty box.

He also flipped the double-bird at the official.

There is precedent in the NHL in terms of supplementary discipline for derogatory comments and gestures.

James Wisniewski was suspended two games for an obscene gesture toward Sean Avery in 2010 and the NHL suspended former Washington Capitals forward Chris Simon three games for directing a racial slur at former Edmonton Oilers forward Mike Grier in 1997.