Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly will have a hearing Tuesday for cross-checking Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig during Saturday's contest, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.
Since he's been offered an in-person hearing, Rielly could face a suspension greater than five games. Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron was suspended six contests earlier this season for cross-checking Artem Zub in the head.
The incident occurred in the dying seconds of the Maple Leafs' 5-3 loss. Rielly took exception to Greig firing a slap shot into Toronto's empty net.
Ridly Greig buries the empty-netter with a slapshot and Morgan Rielly takes exception 😳 pic.twitter.com/6NISK4AMSt
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 11, 2024
"I thought it was appropriate," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Rielly's reaction, according to TSN's Claire Hanna. "Our players have the right to react."
Senators head coach Jacques Martin doesn't believe Greig did anything wrong.
"He put the puck in the net," he said, per Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. "Whether he shoots it or pushes it, that shouldn't happen."
Rielly has never been suspended in his 11-year career with the Leafs. He entered Saturday's contest with 42 points in 49 games while averaging 24:22 per game.
Greig's goal sealed Ottawa's third win in four tries against Toronto in 2023-24. The provincial rivals don't play again this season.
