Columbus will be without a key player in Game 3 as winger Matt Calvert has been suspended one game for his cross check of Pittsburgh's Tom Kuhnhackl in the waning moments of Game 2.
The decision was made after Calvert had a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player safety today. While announcing the penalty today, the department called the hit "dangerous and retaliatory."
"In this case, several factors combined to elevate this play to merit supplemental discipline," the department said in its video announcing the suspension. "This is not a hockey play in the sense that it has nothing to do with pursuit of the puck or establishing body position. And while it is only delivered to the arm, it is forceful and followed to a body check to the vulnerable Kuhnhackl. Finally, and most importantly, we feel that this play falls into the category of message sending."
Calvert has scored three goals, including a tally in Game 1, in eight career playoff games vs. the Penguins, and this was his first hearing with the department.
Speaking today, head coach John Tortorella said, "It's important as we keep moving forward here is to play in between the whistles. The other stuff doesn't help us. It's just not the way the game is played any more."
Sonny Milano was called up from Cleveland today and the Blue Jackets also have Lauri Korpikoski on the roster.
Game 3 will be Sunday in Columbus.
