Devils' Smith banned 2 games, Flyers' Konecny fined after altercation
New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith was suspended two games for slashing Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Friday.
Konecny, meanwhile, was fined $5,000 for cross-checking Smith.
Here's the play from Thursday's meeting between the divisional foes:
Brendan Smith has been suspended for two games for slashing Travis Konecny, per @NHLPlayerSafety. pic.twitter.com/l349w7otV8
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 1, 2023
The force of the slash and the retaliatory nature of the play was a factor in the suspension.
It marks the second suspension of Smith's 13-year NHL career. He was banned eight games in 2011 for an illegal head check during his time with the Detroit Red Wings.
Konecny managed to stay in the game.
Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Devils rookie Luke Hughes earlier in the contest.
The Devils prevailed 4-3 in overtime.