Jets' Pionk suspended 2 games for kneeing Leafs' Sandin

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk has been suspended two games for kneeing Toronto Maple Leafs blue-liner Rasmus Sandin during Sunday's testy contest, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Monday.

The incident occurred six minutes into the final frame. Sandin was helped off the ice and avoided putting any weight on his right leg following the knee-on-knee collision.

Pionk wasn't penalized on the play.

The Department of Player Safety found that Pionk extended his knee and attempted to make direct, forceful contact with Sandin and disputed Pionk's argument that he was trying to make a full-body check.

Sandin was injured on the play, with TSN's Chris Johnston reporting the 21-year-old will likely miss two to three weeks.

This marks Pionk's first suspension in his 250-game career. The 26-year-old will forfeit $58,750 as a result.

Maple Leafs veteran Jason Spezza is awaiting an in-person hearing with the league for hitting Pionk while he was in a vulnerable position shortly after the questionable hit on Sandin.