Islanders' Maxim Tsyplakov Suspended Three Games for Illegal Head Check

The NHL Department of Player Safety issued the suspension after Tsyplakov's hit on Flyers' Ryan Poehling caused an injury and sparked disciplinary action.

• Maxim Tsyplakov of the New York Islanders received a three-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Flyers' Ryan Poehling during Thursday's game.
• The hit, which occurred in the first period, left Poehling with an upper-body injury and forced him to leave the game; no penalty was called on the play.
• Tsyplakov, a 26-year-old rookie, has recorded 19 points in 44 games this season but has struggled to contribute offensively since late December.
• Flyers defenseman Scott Laughton was fined $5,000 for a retaliatory cross-check on Tsyplakov later in the game, the maximum allowable under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement.
• The Islanders, currently eight points out of a playoff spot, will be without Tsyplakov for key upcoming games against the Sharks, Blue Jackets, and Flyers.

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