Red Wings' Larkin suspended 1 game for roughing Lightning's Joseph

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 14: Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) has words with the Tampa Bay Lightning bench after receiving a match penalty during the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday October 14, 2021 at Little Caesars Arena Center in Detroit, MI.

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Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was suspended one game for roughing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mathieu Joseph in Thursday's contest, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Friday.

Officials handed Larkin a match penalty for intent to injure after he sucker-punched Joseph during the second period.

Larkin got the max penalty for attempt to injure.

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Joseph initially hit Larkin from behind along the boards before the latter punched him as he was skating away. Joseph was slow to get up and returned for two short shifts, but he didn't hit the ice in the third period or overtime.

Larkin suffered an injury on the play and wasn't able to practice Friday. Head coach Jeff Blashill said he was "pissed off" that Larkin had to defend himself from the hit and that there was no penalty on Joseph for hitting him "in the numbers," according to the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James.

This is the first suspension of Larkin's seven-year career.