Following a 4-2 win over the Blackhawks last night, the Colorado Avalanche may be in danger of being without both Nathan MacKinnon (COVID protocols) and Captain Gabriel Landeskog. In the third period of the game last night, Landeskog hit Kirby Dach into the boards while Dach was down on one knee. It was a dangerous hit to a vulnerable player that could have ended up much worse than it did for Dach.
Trash hit on Kirby pic.twitter.com/hyDid8QuSC
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) October 14, 2021
Luckily, Dach was able to finish the game and spoke with the media following the game, signaling that he is likely going to be just fine. Which will help Landeskog’s case, since he is now slated to have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety regarding the hit.
Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog will have a hearing for Boarding Chicago’s Kirby Dach.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 14, 2021
Landeskog has been suspended three times in his career by the NHL, most recently in 2017 for four games after a cross-check to Matthew Tkachuk. The Avalanche play next on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. Dach and the Blackhawks play next on Friday against the New Jersey Devils.
UPDATE (Michael): Landeskog has been suspended for two games.
Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog Suspended 2 Games for Hit on Blackhawks' Kirby Dach https://t.co/UjBV6Ht5R4
— NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) October 14, 2021