WINNIPEG – With just five games left this regular season, the Winnipeg Jets can’t afford to lose anyone in the push for a playoff spot.
The team could soon be without all-star defenceman Dustin Byfuglien, though, after his crosscheck on New York Rangers centre J.T. Miller Tuesday.
The NHL Department of Player Safety is looking into the crosscheck and there will be a telephone hearing Thursday for Byfuglien, which means the maximum suspension he’d face would be five games. Miller is also being examined by player safety.
To the surprise of many, Byfuglien did not receive a penalty on the play after the second-period incident.
“Teams are fighting for their lives, refs know that so a lot more is let go… the game itself was poorly officiated,” said Jim Toth of 680 CJOB.
The Rangers came back after trailing in the second period to beat the Jets 3-2.
READ MORE: Chris Kreider scores late, New York Rangers edge Winnipeg Jets 3-2
Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault had some harsh words for Byfuglien when addressing media after the game.
“Violent, deliberate … could have broken his neck,” said Vigneault. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s one of the most vicious crosschecks I’ve seen this year.”
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