Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon is scheduled to have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday, one day following his illegal check to the head on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari.
TSN reported that it’s a phone hearing, which means Dillon could be facing a suspension of up to five games.
Dillon received a match penalty after he used his shoulder to deliver a check to the head of Acciari at 4:15 of the second period in the Jets’ 3-0 loss to the Penguins on Tuesday. Acciari left the game with an upper-body injury.
“Obviously, our major concern is Noel. He’s doing OK, but he’s being evaluated right now,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’ll allow the league to go through their process, like they always do. We can all have opinions on it, but at the end of the day, our opinions don’t really matter. Our major concern is Noel and his health, and he seems to be doing OK.”
The Penguins scored a pair of power-play goals on Dillon’s penalty.
Dillon previously was suspended one game on Dec. 5, 2017, for slashing Washington Capitals defenseman Madison Bowey in a game.
Dillon, 33, has recorded 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and a plus-16 rating in 48 games this season.
He has totaled 191 points (35 goals, 156 assists) and a plus-62 rating in 863 career games with the Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Capitals and Jets.
–Field Level Media
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