As suspected, @Winnipeg Jets forward @Adam Lowry was further punished over his late second period hit of @Oliver Kylington. Lowry has been suspended for the next two games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

The hit only garnered a two minute minor for boarding at the time, but it was obvious that the head and neck area were the initial points of contact. In their video statement on the incident the league pointed out that Kylington’s back was constantly turned towards Lowry from the time he started a puck battle along the boards while Lowry was in front of the net.

Lowry countered that he anticipated Kylington opening up and facing more towards him and the center of the ice as he went in for the hit, but that didn’t happen. The onus is on Lowry on this play more than it is Kylington’s. Oliver did return to the game for the third period which likely factored into the severity of the punishment. Had he been out with injury, Lowry could have been looking at more time off.

It was worth noting that the NHL also now considers Lowry a repeat offender which factors into the punishment given out. This is Lowry’s third career suspension. In 2014 he was suspended for a game for a hit from behind on @Patrick Kaleta during a game against the @Buffalo Sabres. Last season he was suspended two games for high sticking @Nashville Predators forward @Filip Forsberg.

Lowry will be eligible to return to the lineup on Saturday night in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights