Gudbranson given 1-game ban for instigating against Cousins

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson has been suspended one game for serving as the instigator and aggressor of an incident involving Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins on Sunday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.

Gudbranson was given a game misconduct for the altercation, which came in the third period of a heated contest.

Cousins caught Gudbranson with a dangerous hit from behind earlier in the period, prompting the veteran defenseman's response.

The hit was initially called a match penalty but was reduced to a two-minute minor for boarding.

Gudbranson was suspended once earlier in his career - a one-game ban for boarding in 2017. He's eligible to return Saturday against New Jersey Devils.