The Toronto Maple Leafs have been dealt a blow with the recent suspension of forward Zach Hyman. On March 7th, Hyman was suspended for three games after making head contact with Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak. The incident occurred during the second period of the Maple Leafs’ 4-2 loss to the Lightning on March 5th.
Hyman was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for interference on the play, but the NHL’s Department of Player Safety determined that the contact was worthy of a suspension. In a video released by the NHL, they noted that Hyman’s shoulder made direct contact with Cernak’s head and that the hit was avoidable.
The suspension is a significant loss for the Maple Leafs, as Hyman is one of their top penalty killers and has been a key contributor to their success this season. He is also one of the team’s most physical players, and his absence will be felt on both ends of the ice.
Hyman will be eligible to return to the lineup on March 12th when the Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators. He will miss games against the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey Devils during his suspension.
The Maple Leafs will need to find a way to make up for Hyman’s absence over the next few games. They currently sit in third place in the Atlantic Division and are in a tight race for playoff positioning. Every point is crucial at this point in the season, and losing Hyman for three games could be a major setback for the team.
The Maple Leafs will need to rely on their depth players to step up in Hyman’s absence. It will be interesting to see how the team responds without one of their key players in the lineup.
