Erik Gudbranson Suspended One Game by Department of Player Safety

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has ruled on Erik Gudbranson’s hit and ensuing five-minute boarding major from last night’s game against the Boston Bruins, and it’s not in the Canucks favour. The league has suspended Gudbranson one game ahead of the Canucks Friday night match against the Buffalo Sabres.

Gudbranson also received a five-minute fighting major on the play, as Tim Schaller took him to task on his hit into Frank Vatrano’s numbers. Vatrano eventually returned to yesterday’s game, so luckily for everyone involved, it appears as though serious harm was avoided. That was far from a certainty in the immediate aftermath of the hit.

In six games with the Canucks this season, Gudbranson is pointless with a minus-two rating and 22 penalty minutes. His underlying metrics, so far, have been sub-replacement level, as Gudbranson is the only Canuck to play in all six games and sport a sub-40% five-on-five shot attempt ratio.

Gudbranson will return in time for the Canucks matinee showdown with the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. In his stead steps Alex Biega, who will take Gudbranson’s place against the Sabres in today’s game.