Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar was suspended for two games for an illegal check to the head of Islanders forward Bo Horvat during their game Thursday night in New York.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced the suspension Friday evening. Nazar also was fined $68,041.
Nazar, 22, will miss Saturday’s home game against the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes and Tuesday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
At the 18-minute, 27-second mark of the third period Thursday, Horvat scored on an empty net to secure a 4-1 Islanders win. Shortly after Horvat’s shot, Nazar laid a hard check leading with his left shoulder into the center’s head.
That drew the ire of Horvat and his teammates, leading to a fist-throwing scrum. Nazar was hit with a five-minute major, ending his night.
Horvat is still being evaluated, per Ethan Sears of the New York Post.
It was a frustrating night for the Hawks, who lost despite having a 23-19 edge in shots on goal. Nazar scored the lone Hawks goal on a 6-on-5 at 17:26 of the third.
The Hawks (1-4-0) have lost their first four road games in regulation for the first time since the 1997-98 season. They will play their next seven games at the United Center.
Nazar is the first active Hawks player to be suspended since the league issued a four-game ban on forward Brett Connolly for interference on Dec. 19, 2021. Connolly also was fined $70,000 for the hit on former Stars forward Tanner Kero that forced him out of action for 25 days.