Winnipeg Jets F Mark Scheifele suspended four games

Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele has been suspended four games for his hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans.

The hit happened in the dying seconds of game one between the clubs when Evans scored on an empty net. Scheifele skated into him full speed with clear intent to lay a devastating hit.

The NHL called it a “a high, predatory hit” and argued Scheifele made no effort to make a defensive play and by taking his hand off his stick turning his shoulder into Evans, he was “conceding the empty-net goal.”

Evans was stretchered off the ice and later diagnosed with a concussion. Scheifele, meanwhile, was given a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.