Verdict likely today on Byfuglien’s cross-check in Rangers tilt

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This article was published 02/04/2015 (3837 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRACE yourselves, Winnipeg Jets fans: News is expected today on how long Dustin Byfuglien will be out of the lineup during the team’s final sprint to the playoffs.

Byfuglien is scheduled to have a telephone hearing with the National Hockey League’s department of player safety at 9:30 Thursday morning for his cross-check to the neck of J.T. Miller in Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.

A suspension — the fact the hearing is done by phone means the max is five games — is now widely anticipated from those who follow the NHL.

There was no penalty on the play, but video replays showed Byfuglien cross-checking a prone Miller in the neck and into the ice in front of Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.

“Violent, deliberate… could have broken his neck,” said Rangers coach Alain Vigneault immediately after the game.

“So, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s one of the most vicious cross-checks I’ve seen this year.”

A day later, Vigneault told reporters: “After watching it (the play on video), it’s like, wow, how was there not a penalty? I could go on and on but I could get in trouble if I went on and on.”

Byfuglien has no history of suspensions with the NHL, and Miller did not leave the game. In fact, he earned a degree of revenge by helping set up Chris Kreider — who scored the game-winning goal after racing around Byfuglien — with less than four minutes remaining.

Miller told Rangers media Wednesday his neck was stiff and sore, but he was not expected to miss any action.

Said the department of player safety in announcing the hearing:

“The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: cross-checking. However, the department of player safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.”

All this means the Jets will likely be heading into their most critical portion of their season without their most valuable player. The Jets are next in action Saturday as they wrap up a four-game homestand against Vancouver, and Byfuglien’s status will be certain by then.

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After that, the Jets head out on a three-game road trip to Minnesota, St. Louis and Colorado before winding up the regular season April 11 at home to Calgary. Winnipeg is 39-26-12 and, with 90 points, holds down the final wild card spot in the Western Conference playoff race — two points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings.

TSN analyst Craig Button said he expects Byfuglien to be suspended.

“The bottom line is it’s a vicious cross-check in front of the net to a defenceless player,” said Button. “It could be considered a non-hockey play. Really, when you see it more and more it becomes even more distasteful.

“Unfortunately, not only did the Winnipeg Jets lose this game, they’re going to lose a significant part of their team for some games.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait