PITTSBURGH — The NHL has suspended Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal for five games for kneeing Boston forward Brad Marchand during Boston's 3-2 win on Saturday night.
Marchand had fallen to the ice in the second period while trying to pass when Neal skated toward Marchand.
Neal's left knee connected with the side of Marchand's head as Marchand tried to get up. Neal received a 2-minute penalty for kneeing, but was allowed to return to the game.
The NHL's vice president of player safety and hockey operations, Brendan Shanahan, said Monday that Neal moved to ensure contact with Marchand.
The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced that Neal’s suspension will be without pay.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Neal will forfeit $128,205.15. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Neal, who has 10 goals in 16 games this season, has been fined once and suspended twice during his career. He missed Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in 2012 against Philadelphia for "reckless" hits against two Flyers.
Meanwhile, the Penguins placed defenseman Brooks Orpik on the injured reserve Monday with a concussion.
Orpik was knocked unconscious by Boston's Shawn Thornton in the first period of Saturday’s game. Orpik left the ice on a stretcher after Thornton grabbed Orpik from behind, threw him to the ice and punched him.
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said Monday that Orpik was unconscious for "30 seconds or more."
Orpik flew home with the team, but is out indefinitely. Bylsma said Orpik is "doing quite well" but offered no timetable on a possible return.
Pittsburgh recalled defenseman Brian Dumoulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League to take Orpik's spot on the roster.