2:40 p.m.: The Department of Player Safety announced that Larsson will be suspended for two games for his check to the head of Sanford. He will miss the team’s next two games against the Blues.
9:29 p.m.: Coyotes winger Johan Larsson will have a disciplinary hearing today, the Department of Player Safety announced. Under review is an illegal check to the head on Blues winger Zach Sanford in the third period of yesterday’s game. A clip of the hit can be viewed here.
A minor penalty was assessed on the play and Sanford was able to play the rest of the game. Larsson actually scored earlier in the contest, his first goal and point of the season as he has struggled in the early going this season as he adapts to his new team after leaving Buffalo in free agency.
A decision on whether or not to suspend Larsson will have to be made quickly. The two teams are back at it again tonight in their sixth straight matchup out of seven with their schedules being rearranged due to the COVID-19-related postponements for division rivals Colorado and Minnesota. If there is a suspension, Arizona likely won’t need to recall anyone from the taxi squad as they’re currently carrying an extra forward on their active roster.
It was Sanford’s fault. He put his head down just before the hit.