Los Angeles Kings Roster News: Milan Lucic Suspended for Punch
Even the brightest stars make mistakes and that is what the Los Angeles Kings saw on Saturday when Milan Lucic punched defenseman Kevin Connauton of the Arizona Coyotes, earning him a one game suspension from the NHL.
The league's Department of Player Safety announced that the suspension handed out to Lucic is due to hitting an "unsuspecting opponent."
A review of the game tape saw Lucic deliver the punch in the middle part of the third quarter in a game that Arizona won, 3-2. While the Kings were desperately on attack mode inside Arizona's zone, they eventually got a shot they wanted, but it was blocked by Coyotes goalie Louis Domingue. Within the play, it looked like Connauton was making use of his stick to slash Lucic, so the latter immediately responded to an alleged dirty play by skating over the former, and as he got near and in contact, he threw a jab to the defenseman's head.
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Before a fight could erupt, game officials were quick to stop the game and intervene, in the process handing Lucic out a roughing minor and game misconduct. The infractions caused him to be ejected and miss the rest of the game.
According to him, he just reacted in such way because he felt his hand went numb after getting slashed. Although it certainly looked like an unnecessary response, a lot have been done that are far worse in the league for smaller and more senseless reasons.
But the punishment has been announced, and the Kings no longer have any other option but to play in the next game against the San Jose Sharks without one of their best offensive players.
Los Angeles currently leads the Pacific Division and is not ready to relinquish it. Good thing they only will have to settle for a one-day absence of Lucic and nothing more. He currently has 12 goals to his name and 29 points in 47 games this season.
