The NHL suspended Washington Capitals forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel for three games Saturday for a check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Cal Foote.
Aube-Kubel caught Foote with the high hit early in the second period Friday.
Foote, who was bloodied by the collision, left the game and didn't return to the 5-1 Washington win.
"That's a tough hit. That defines the word blindside," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said postgame, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "It's too bad we're playing them again (Sunday) because I doubt (Foote) will be around to see the game."
While officials were reviewing the hit, a brawl nearly broke out as Pat Maroon dropped the gloves with Garnet Hathaway. Both players were fined for their actions.
Sonny Milano capped off Washington's successful five-minute penalty kill by scoring on a breakaway as he returned to the ice after serving Aube-Kubel's penalty.
The suspension is the first in Aube-Kubel's NHL career. He has been fined twice, once for roughing and the other for kneeing, both in 2021.
Aube-Kubel will miss Washington's games against the Lightning, Florida Panthers, and St. Louis Blues. He's eligible to return Nov. 19 against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche.