Nathan MacKinnon suspension likely incoming after he slashes an official
Colorado Avalanche superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon is certainly going to be in some hot water with the NHL after he slashed an official in Boston on Monday afternoon.
Directly following a faceoff against Erik Haula, MacKinnon took a whack at the referee who had dropped the puck, and the play did not look accidental in the least. Have a look for yourself below.
After the league making an example out of Brad Marchand for taking liberties on Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry, I have a hard time believing that the NHL issue MacKinnon a suspension any less than the 6 games that they gave to Marchand. Granted, Marchand has a lengthy history, but even he isn't hacking an official in the leg.
This was a bonehead mistake by MacKinnon and I could easily see a 10-game or even a 20-game suspension occurring here. If the league views it as "Abuse of an Official", I believe it carries an automatic 20-game suspension. There are subsections of the rule that allow for lesser suspensions, so it will be interesting to see which way the NHL goes with this one.
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531393.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) blocks a shot by Team USA forward Jake Guentzel (59) during the third period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530971.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) blocks a shot by Team USA forward Jake Guentzel (59) during the third period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) lifts the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy after winning against Team USA in overtime during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531100.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) lifts the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy after winning against Team USA in overtime during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
