The NHL Department of Player Safety has announced that Montreal Canadiens Brendan Gallagher has been suspended for five games for his hit on New York Islanders defenceman Adam Pelech during Wednesday’s game. Gallagher was given a five and a 10 on the hit and was given the game. This will be Gallagher’s first career suspension. Gallagher, who was drafted by the Habs in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL, has played his entire career in Montreal, putting up 210 goals and 201 assists for 411 points in 722 games; he’s added 13 goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 71 career Stanley Cup Playoff Games. He has eight goals and eight assists for 16 points in 47 games this season.
With Gallagher out of the lineup, expect Jesse Ylonen to draw back into the Canadiens lineup. Ylonen, a second-round pick of the Habs back in 2018, has put up three goals and four assists for seven points in 38 games this season. He has 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 90 career NHL Games. The 24-year-old winger has not played in a game since January 18th.
