RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21: Yanni Gourde #37 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is ejected for an illegal hit to the head to Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes (not pictured) during an NHL game against on March 21, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Lightning's Gourde suspended 2 games for hit to head on Canes' Staal

Gregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / Getty

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Yanni Gourde has been suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of Carolina Hurricanes pivot Jordan Staal, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Friday.

Here's the play:

Yanni Gourde High Hit On Jordan Staal (video) pic.twitter.com/4Wt0o4KZvF
— Charlie (@hockeybias) March 22, 2019

The hit occurred in the first period of Thursday's matchup - a 6-3 victory for Tampa Bay. Gourde was assessed a 10-minute match penalty and was ejected from the game, while Staal briefly exited the contest before returning to score a goal in the middle frame.

Gourde is eligible to return to the Bolts' lineup March 30 versus the Washington Capitals. In 75 games this season, the 27-year-old has notched 20 goals and 24 assists.