Rangers' Lemieux suspended 2 play-in games for hit in March

New York Rangers forward Brendan Lemieux has been suspended for two games of the upcoming play-in round for a late hit on Colorado Avalanche winger Joonas Donskoi on March 11, the league announced Monday.

The Department of Player Safety already held a hearing with Lemieux on March 13, but a verdict was never announced due to the uncertainty regarding the league returning to play.

While Lemieux will miss the first two games of New York's qualifying-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, he'll be eligible to participate in the Rangers' exhibition contest on July 29.

The 24-year-old has been suspended once before in his career.