The NHL has announced that they have suspended Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly for five games for his hit on Ottawa Senators center Ridley Greig late in the third period during Saturday’s 5-3 loss. Rielly cross-checked Grieg after Grieg loaded up for an empty-net slapshot goal. This is a huge loss for the Leafs as Rielly is the team’s top defenceman, averaging 24:21. In 50 games this season, Rielly has had seven goals and 36 assists for 43 points. Reilly, the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, has played in 769 games, putting up 80 goals and 377 assists for 457 points.
Mark Giordano has found his way into the lineup with Reilly being suspended. Giordano has played in one goal and five assists for six points in 34 games with the Maple Leafs. The former Calgary Flames captain has played in 1,136 games, putting up 156 goals and 418 assists for 574 points. He has seven goals and 35 assists for 42 points in 132 games with the Leafs since being acquired from the Seattle Kraken.
