Pastrnak suspended 2 games for Girardi headshot

Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak will miss two games after being suspended for an illegal check to the head of New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Friday.

An unsuspecting Girardi was leveled by the Bruins winger Wednesday at center ice, as the defender tried to grab a puck that was in mid-air.

Pastrnak's had a very productive start to the season, with five goals and three assists in seven games. He'll sit out Saturday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, Tuesday's against the Florida Panthers, and will forfeit $10,277.78 in salary.

It's Pastrnak's first suspension.

Girardi, meanwhile, left Wednesday's game after the hit, passed concussion tests, and was able to return. He should be in New York's lineup Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The veteran has a goal and an assist in four games.