Niskanen suspended for Game 6 after cross-checking Gallagher

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen has been handed a one-game suspension for cross-checking Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher during Game 5 on Wednesday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Thursday.

Gallagher suffered a broken jaw on the play and will miss the remainder of the series. Niskanen didn't receive a penalty for the hit.

"What causes this play to rise to the level of supplemental discipline is the force of the blow, and the fact that the original intent of the play was to deliver a forceful stick foul to the upper body of an opponent," the league said.

This marks the first time Niskanen has been suspended over his 13-year career. However, he was fined in February for slashing.

The 33-year-old blue-liner has yet to record a point this postseason. But he's logged important minutes for the Flyers, ranking second on the club in both average ice time (22:05) and blocked shots (19).

Philadelphia will look to close out the opening-round series without Niskanen in Game 6 on Friday.