The verdict has been set in the Brendan Gallagher case. The Canadian striker was suspended for five games for elbowing Adam Pelech's head.
The NHL's Player Safety Department concluded that Pelech's head was the primary point of contact in the illegal head check and that the contact could have been avoided.
• Also read: Canadian v. Islanders: Brendan Gallagher has changed almost everything
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The Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher was suspended five games for an illegal punch to the head of the Islanders' Adam Pelech. https://t.co/mx2Q869NOl
– NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 26, 2024
Despite his fiery style, numerous contacts with opposing goaltenders and altercations with officials, this is Gallagher's first suspension in 723 games in the NHL.
This suspension without pay will deprive Gallagher of $169,270.85 in salary. He won't be back in action until February 15th in New York against the Rangers.
The penguins before the holidays
The Canadian will therefore have to do without the 31-year-old striker in his Saturday evening guest appearance in Pittsburgh. This will be the Habs' last game before their seven-day break. Everyone wants to go home with a rested head and add a second win to Thursday's win over the New York Islanders.
“The start of the game will be important,” Josh Anderson said. You need to play with the energy from the start and do a good pre-check. We have to chase the puck and play deep in their territory. This is how we manage to generate attacks.”
First up is Jake Allen, his second in three games. Despite the strength of their team, the Penguins are just ahead of the Canadiens in the Eastern Conference standings. However, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kristopher Letang and their teammates played four fewer games.
“We just won an important game against the Islanders, but against the Penguins we will face an experienced and talented team,” Allen said.
Their next game is not scheduled until February 6th in Washington, Martin St-Louis' team is on vacation until next Sunday. Meanwhile, Nick Suzuki will represent the team at the All-Star Weekend, which will take place in Toronto.