NHL Suspends Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher for Five Games

Gallagher Penalized for Illegal Check to the Head of Islanders' Adam Pelech

Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher has been suspended for five games for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech.
Gallagher was given a match penalty and ejected for hitting Pelech in the head with his right elbow during the third period of the teams’ game.
Pelech, who has a concussion history, did not return to the game after the hit.
This is Gallagher's first suspension in his 12-year career. He will forfeit $169,271 in salary and miss games at Pittsburgh and Washington and against Dallas, St. Louis and Anaheim.
Gallagher is eligible to return Feb. 15 at the New York Rangers.