Florida Panthers forward Jesse Puljujarvi has been suspended for two games by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mitchell Chaffee, resulting in a match penalty during a game that the Lightning won 5-1. Chaffee was down on the ice for several minutes after the hit but left under his own power and did not return to the game.
Puljujarvi was called up from AHL Charlotte by the Panthers on April 6 and played five games before being reassigned to Charlotte the day after the incident. The Panthers and Lightning are set to face each other in the first round of the playoffs, continuing their rivalry from the previous season. The series begins at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, as both teams gear up for postseason action.