NHL to review Landeskog match penalty, Marchand retaliation

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog received a match penalty for an illegal blind side check to the head of Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand on Thursday.

The incident occurred early in the second period, and sparked a melee that resulted in a minor penalty for roughing assessed to Marchand following a retaliatory punch.

A match penalty results in immediate ejection and an automatic one-game suspension pending a ruling from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

Both the hit and the punch will be reviewed, reports Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe.

After the game, Landeskog said he was glad Marchand wasn't injured, as evidenced by his ability to deliver that punch.

"I tried to let up, and then I tried to skate up and apologize and tell him I didn’t mean to come across," Landeskog told reporters, according to Zack Cox of NESN. "And he - obviously he wasn’t hurt with that sucker punch. Like I said, I’m happy he didn’t get hurt. I feel like principle point of contact was shoulder, and, like I said, I’m happy he didn’t get hurt."

For his part, Marchand stated his belief that Landeskog isn't the kind of player that would intentionally target the head.

"Things happen quick," he said. "I know that I’ve been there. I’m sure he didn’t mean it. I don’t think he’s a dirty player. It’s hockey. It is what it is."