Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Lalonde said someone pointed out to him a two-game suspension Toronto\u2019s Auston Matthews got for a high, forceful cross-check in a game against Buffalo two seasons ago. That was the first career fine or suspension for Matthews.
Detroit Red Wings center Robby Fabbri (14) celebrates his goal with left wing David Perron (57) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo\/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) lies on the ice after being hit by Ottawa Senators right wing Mathieu Joseph (21) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) is helped by medical staff after being hit against the Ottawa Senators in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Red Wings center Robby Fabbri (14) celebrates his goal with left wing David Perron (57) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo\/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Detroit Red Wings center Robby Fabbri (14) celebrates his goal with left wing David Perron (57) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo\/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) lies on the ice after being hit by Ottawa Senators right wing Mathieu Joseph (21) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) lies on the ice after being hit by Ottawa Senators right wing Mathieu Joseph (21) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) is helped by medical staff after being hit against the Ottawa Senators in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) is helped by medical staff after being hit against the Ottawa Senators in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Paul Sancya)
DALLAS (AP) \u2014 Red Wings forward David Perron was suspended for six games by the NHL on Monday for cross-checking Ottawa defenseman Artem Zub in the aftermath of a hit on Dylan Larkin that knocked out the Detroit captain<\/a><\/span>.
Perron was given a match penalty for intent to injure after cross-checking Zub as he stood next to the prone Larkin in the first period of Saturday\u2019s game<\/a><\/span>. Larkin was motionless face-down on the ice after getting cross-checked in the back of the head and neck by Ottawa\u2019s Mathieu Joseph.
In its explanation for the severity of the penalty<\/a><\/span> against Perron, the NHL said he had sufficient time to engage Zub in a different manner.
\u201cFirst, this is not a hockey play. This is an intentional strike with a stick made with the purpose of exacting retribution on an opponent,\u201d the league said. \u201cThis is not a case in which two players are jousting and are mutually aware that sticks are being raised.\u201d
Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said after their 6-3 loss at Dallas<\/a><\/span> on Monday night that he didn\u2019t have much comment on Perron\u2019s suspension, but wanted to stick up for his guys. <\/p>\n
\u201cPretty similar for four games\u2019 difference in those two (suspensions),\u201d Lalonde said. \u201cDavid\u2019s had a clean sheet for 1,100 games. … I know he was pretty disappointed, but you\u2019ve got to trust the process and we\u2019ll see where it goes.\u201d
The 35-year-old Perron, who is in his 17th NHL season, had been fined only one other time in his career. That too was for a retaliatory cross-check, in the playoffs two seasons ago when he was playing for the St. Louis Blues against Colorado and Nazem Kadri.
But the NHL referred to replays Saturday that showed Perron circling back after the whistle and taking several strides toward Zub. The league said Perron raised his stick with both hands, pulled it back and extended it to deliver a forceful blow to the head that knocked Zub to the ice.
Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and based on his average annual salary, Perron will forfeit $148,437.48 during the suspension. That money will go into the players\u2019 emergency assistance fund.
Larkin was put on injured reserve<\/a><\/span>, along with left wing J.T. Compher and center Klim Kostin, with undisclosed injuries before the game against the Stars.
Asked earlier Monday if Larkin had a concussion, Lalonde said \u201cthat\u2019s not my category\u201d and that he would be listed with an upper-body injury. Larkin will be unavailable for at least a week.
\u201cNo timeframe on it. … We\u2019ll know more in the next few days,\u201d Lalonde said. \u201cUnfortunate to lose a player of that caliber for an extended period of time.\u201d
Lalonde said he spoke to Larkin for about 20 minutes Sunday night and that the 27-year-old center was in good spirits. Larkin has 11 goals and 14 assists in 24 games this season.
AP NHL: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/nhl<\/a><\/span>
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n