Panthers' Puljujarvi suspended 2 games for illegal check to head of Lightning's Chaffee

SUNRISE, Fla. — Florida Panthers forward Jesse Puljujarvi, formerly of the Pittsburgh Penguins, was suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mitchell Chaffee, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Thursday.

Puljujarvi received a match penalty after running his right shoulder into Chaffee’s head while it was down in the third period of an eventual 5-1 Lightning win Tuesday. Chaffee immediately when down after the hit and remained on the ice for several minutes before skating off under his own power. He did not return to the game.

Florida recalled Puljujarvi from AHL Charlotte on April 6, and he played in five games as the defending champions dealt with injuries and rested a few starters down the stretch to prepare for the postseason. Puljujarvi was reassigned to Charlotte on Wednesday.

The Panthers and Lightning are preparing for their first-round playoff series, which begins Tuesday at Amalie Arena. Its the second-straight season the in-state rivals are meeting in the first round.