Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith has been suspended for six games for high-sticking Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle during Tuesday's game, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.
The length of the suspension means Keith will miss Game 1 of the first round in the playoffs.
Keith was offered an in-person hearing Wednesday, but he waived that right in order to have a phone hearing Wednesday afternoon.
The incident occurred at 9 minutes, 27 seconds of the first period. Keith swung his stick with his right hand and connected with the face of Coyle, who left the game with a cut across the bridge of his nose.