Montreal Canadiens forward Andrew Shaw was suspended three preseason games Thursday for boarding Washington Capitals defender Connor Hobbs.
Shaw delivered forceful contact through the back of Hobbs while in pursuit in the offensive zone Tuesday night in Montreal, slamming the Capitals defender face-first into the glass.
He received a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct on the play.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety deemed that Hobbs was never eligible to be hit, as he was facing away from the oncoming pressure, and the onus was on Shaw to create legal contact in this instance. The NHL also took into account what happened prior to the incident, noting that Shaw, a repeat offender, was sent crashing to the ice when he was tangled with Capitals forward Jay Beagle.
Hobbs was able to return to the game, factoring into the NHL's decision.
Shaw will not miss time in the regular season, and will not have to forfeit salary, notes Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette.
