Matthews suspended 2 games for cross-checking Dahlin

Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has been suspended two games for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during Sunday's contest, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Monday.

The incident occurred during the third period of the Maple Leafs' 5-2 defeat at the Heritage Classic. Matthews cross-checked Dahlin in the neck area as the pair got in a dustup in the Sabres' crease.

Matthews and Dahlin were each assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking on the play. Dahlin was able to stay in the contest.

While acknowledging that Matthews didn't intend to injure Dahlin, the Department of Player Safety posited that his actions aren't typically used as a routine way to gain body position over an opponent.

The league also argued that the retaliatory force Matthews used warranted the supplementary discipline even though the 24-year-old had never been fined or suspended in his NHL career up until now.

"You're just battling in front of the net," Matthews said after the game, according to ESPN's Kristen Shilton. "I felt like I kind of rode up his shoulder and his shoulder pack rolled up a little bit. That's hockey; you're competing out there."

Matthews will forfeit $116,402.50 in salary as a result of the suspension.

The Maple Leafs will now be without their leading scorer against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday and the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

Matthews paces all NHL skaters with 45 goals in 56 games. He was a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy in each of the past two campaigns.