Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has been handed a 5-game suspension for cross-checking Ottawa Senators forward Ridley Grieg in the head after he clobbered a point-blank snapshot for a game-sealing empty-net goal over the weekend.
Of course, this was expected, but losing their top-scoring defenseman for a week is a problem for a Maple Leafs team that isn't quite a shoo-in for the postseason just yet.
If you missed it, here's what Rielly did to earn himself some time off…
Rielly earned an in-person hearing for that which meant a suspension of 5 games or more was on the table. That became a virtual hearing thanks to some weather in the northeast, and on Tuesday the decision was announced.
For years, one of the Leafs' biggest problems has been their blueline. Now, they're going to be without Rielly — who is also fourth on the team in scoring with 43 points.
The team is currently in a three-way battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings for third place in the Atlantic Division, as well as the two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference.
As of Tuesday, the Leafs are even on points with the Red Wings at 60, while they're one behind the Lightning who have 61.
Even while the Leafs have games in hand on both teams — as well as wild card contenders the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders — one multi-game losing streak and there could be some problems.
A good way to avoid that kind of skid has to have all hands on deck, and while 5 games are less than a sixth of what the Leafs have remaining, every point will matter.
The last thing the Leafs need — given their lack of postseason success over the last two decades — is an unfavorable first-round matchup. Especially against the Boston Bruins.
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Morgan Rielly