Carl Hagelin has been suspended for the next three games of the New York Rangers' 2012 NHL Playoffs series against the Ottawa Senators after elbowing Daniel Alfredsson in the head and knocking the forward out of the game during Game 2 on Saturday. Brendan Shanahan explained how the suspension was reached in the video below.
Alfredsson's status for the upcoming games is still unknown, though he looked very shaken coming off the ice. Shanahan said the league factored in that an injury was sustained on the play, as well as that Hagelin has not been suspended previously in determining the length of the suspension. Hagelin did receive a five-minute major penalty for the hit midway through the second period.
With the series heading to Ottawa for two games, Hagelin's absence could be huge. The rookie forward recorded an assist Thursday night. The Rangers may use another rookie, Chris Kreider, to fill Hagelin's spot in the lineup.
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