NEW YORK – The NHL has suspended Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin for a game that knocked out Tampa Bay forward Matthew Joseph.
The league announced the fine on Friday, adding that Larkin would pay a 30,500 salary that would go to fund the players’ emergency assistance fund.
Larkin will miss the Detroit home game against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. The NHL said Larkin suspended Joseph by punching him in the back of the face while the suspect was no longer suspicious.
“He’s coming down … and then he hits the boards, so you can understand why he’s upset,” said Red Wings coach Jeff Blashil after the Lightning lost 7-6 in overtime on Thursday night.
Larkin was limited to 44 games last season after Dallas ’Jamie Benn cross-checked his neck.
The Red Wings lost a three-goal lead three times in their opening match of the season against two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. Larkin was awarded a match penalty for a punch in the second period, ending his night on ice after scoring the first goal of the game.
After the game, Tampa Bay coach John Cooper and the Lightning players said they were confused that the authorities did not immediately penalize Joseph and Detroit and that a power play ensued after the fight.
“Obviously, he’s crazy, you know, the Borderline hit there, but there are different ways to go about it,” said Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos. “You can grab a man and then punch him in the face.
