Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden has been suspended for two games without pay by the NHL for an illegal check to the head of Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev. The incident occurred at 6:00 of the third period of the Golden Knights’ 4-1 win over the Kraken on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena. Howden was assessed a match penalty for the hit, which left Tanev shaken and bleeding from his nose.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced the suspension on Wednesday, stating that Howden “delivers a high, forceful hit that makes Tanev’s head the main point of contact on a hit where such contact was avoidable.” The department also noted that Tanev was eligible to be checked on the play, but Howden took a poor angle and elevated his shoulder into Tanev’s head.
Howden forfeits salary, will miss two games
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Howden will forfeit $19,791.66 of his salary, which goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. He will miss the Golden Knights’ next two games against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. He will be eligible to return on Oct. 17 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Howden, 23, is in his first season with the Golden Knights after being acquired from the New York Rangers in July. He has no points and four penalty minutes in two games this season. He has 49 points and 97 penalty minutes in 178 career NHL games.
Tanev returns to game, Kraken lose second straight
Tanev, 29, was able to return to the game after receiving medical attention on the bench. He finished with one assist and four hits in 15:28 of ice time. He has two points and six penalty minutes in two games this season. He signed a six-year contract with the Kraken as a free agent in July after spending four seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has 67 points and 228 penalty minutes in 302 career NHL games.
The Kraken, who are playing their inaugural season in the NHL, lost their second straight game after falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in their season opener on Oct. 10. They are still looking for their first win in franchise history. They will face the Nashville Predators on Thursday and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Golden Knights off to strong start, defend championship
The Golden Knights, who won their first Stanley Cup championship last season, are off to a strong start this season with two wins in two games. They raised their championship banner before their game against the Kraken on Tuesday night, and received their rings earlier in the day. They are led by captain Mark Stone, who has three points in two games, and goaltender Robin Lehner, who has a 1.50 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage in two starts.
The Golden Knights are aiming to repeat as champions and become the first team to do so since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. They are considered one of the favorites to win the Cup again this season, along with teams like the Colorado Avalanche, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
