Ristolainen suspended 3 games for hit on Guentzel

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has been suspended three games for interference on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Thursday.

The hit in question came during Tuesday's contest where midway through the first period Ristolainen caught an unsuspecting Guentzel with an open-ice hit.

Ristolainen was given a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct on the play, a decision the Sabres defender agreed with on Thursday.

Related: Ristolainen: Ejection for hit on Guentzel 'probably was the right call'

Guentzel subsequently suffered a concussion on the play.

The suspension means the Sabres will be without Ristolainen until their game on April 2 against the New York Islanders.