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Sabres' Skinner to have hearing for cross-checking Penguins' Guentzel

Bill Wippert / National Hockey League / Getty

Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner will have a hearing for cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel during Friday's contest, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced postgame.

The pair got into it with less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation after Guentzel took an extra whack at Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson.

Skinner went after Guentzel, and the players exchanged words and slashes. Skinner then cross-checked Guentzel twice, with the second one catching the productive Penguin in the face.

Guentzel was bleeding from the incident, and Skinner's night was over after being assessed a match penalty for cross-checking. Both earned slashing minors.

Skinner's actions also put the Penguins on the power play heading into overtime, where Jeff Carter delivered the winner.

Sabres head coach Don Granato said Skinner's "emotions got the best of him," according to WGR 550's Brian Koziol.

The two teams square off again Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.

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