In a closely contested match on March 20, 2025, the Montreal Canadiens suffered a 4-3 defeat against the New York Islanders. The game took a controversial turn when Canadiens’ alternate captain, Brendan Gallagher, was involved in an incident leading to his ejection.

Midway through the third period, Gallagher delivered a high hit to Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech, resulting in a match penalty and his immediate removal from the game. Pelech did not return to the ice following the hit.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety convened promptly and announced a three-game suspension for Gallagher, citing the illegal check to the head as the primary reason for the disciplinary action. This suspension will sideline Gallagher for upcoming games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Dallas Stars.

This incident marks Gallagher’s first suspension in his 12-season NHL career, although he was previously fined for a separate infraction. The league emphasized that while Gallagher is not considered a repeat offender under the collective bargaining agreement, the nature of the hit necessitated the suspension.

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