Department Of Player Safety Appears to Have Made an Official Decision on William Nylander's Cross Check

William Nylander will not face supplemental discipline following a questionable play in the middle of Wednesday night's Atlantic Division clash between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.

Nylander was assessed a double minor for cross-checking Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt, who was forced from the game for a short time.

With that kind of play, many speculated that the NHL's Department of Player Safety (DoPS) would take the situation a step further to a disciplinary hearing, considering the similarities to infractions handed out in the past.

Recent examples, including New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier's one-game suspension for a cross-check earlier this week, had the Leafs' fanbase worried.

But upon further review, DoPS elected not to dole out any further punishment to Nylander, which means he's clear to go for the team's upcoming schedule.

That's good news for an injury-ravaged Leafs team that's also missing Auston Matthews, Max Domi, Matthew Knies, and several others. The team has done fairly well considering how many of their players have been out of game action.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will attempt to rebound from an ugly 5-1 loss to Florida on Wednesday night when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

With Nylander now confirmed to be in the lineup for what should be another intense affair in this burgeoning rivalry, it's time for the team and its fans to breathe just a little bit easier.