Blues' Blais suspended 2 games for hit on Avs' Toews

St. Louis Blues forward Sammy Blais faces a two-game ban for his hit on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews during Wednesday's contest, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Thursday.

The play occurred just over four minutes into the contest. Blais was handed a two-minute minor for elbowing. Toews was shaken up but remained in the game.

Blais, 24, has no prior history of supplemental discipline over 84 regular-season contests. The 6-foot-2 forward later added an assist in the Blues' 4-1 victory.

The Avalanche acquired Toews from the New York Islanders in October and signed him to a four-year, $16.4-million deal shortly after.

Blais will sit for the first game of his suspension when the Blues take on the Avalanche in a rematch Friday.