Brendan Gallagher Won't Escape Suspension After Dangerous Hit on Islanders Adam Pelech

Say what you want about Brendan Gallagher's style of play, he has no history of suspension in the NHL. That's almost certainly about to change, though.

During the Montreal Canadiens' game against the New York Islanders tonight, Gallagher drilled the Isles Adam Pelech with a hit that was wrong in just about every way. Gallagher clearly extended his elbow and caught the defenceman square in the jaw, knocking him to the ice. Gallagher was given a five minute major for an illegal check to the head, as a well as a game misconduct, which triggers an automatic review by the Department of Player Safety.


Pelech went to the dressing room, but did return to the game before it was over. The Islanders seemed to hit another gear on the ensuing powerplay, scoring twice to tie the game at 3 late in the third. However, Montreal's Sean Monahan scored shortly after to give the Canadiens a 4-3 win.