Andrew Shaw suspended three preseason games for boarding Connor Hobbs

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has suspended Montreal Canadiens forward Andrew Shaw three preseason games for boarding Washington Capitals defenseman Connor Hobbs in an exhibition game Tuesday night.

The Department of Player Safety points out that Shaw could have been angered from an earlier play where he got tangled up with Washington forward Jay Beagle. This led to him taking out the frustration on Hobbs.

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“Hobbs is never eligible to be checked by Shaw on this play,” Player Safety said in the video explaining the suspension. “From the moment Shaw arrives at the face-off dot, he sees nothing but Hobbs’ numbers. Hobbs makes no sudden movement prior to contact that turns this hit from a legal hit into an illegal one. The onus is on Shaw to ensure he can deliver this hit in a legal fashion, minimize the force or avoid this hit completely. Instead, he hits forcefully through Hobbs from behind, driving him dangerously through the glass.”

Hobbs was not injured on the play and returned to the game. Shaw received a five-minute major for boarding. After the play, Shaw got into a fight with Capitals forward Nathan Walker.

Shaw is known as one of the NHL’s more physical players, but he often hasn’t found himself dealing with disciplinary issues because of on-ice performance. The Department of Player Safety has suspended Shaw once before, when the forward collided with Arizona Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith. Shaw received three games for this infraction.

Because Shaw is suspended during the preseason, he will not forfeit any of his salary.

The Canadiens have five exhibition games remaining. Shaw is in his first season with the Habs after an offseason trade from the Chicago Blackhawks.

What do you think of this suspension? Too much? Too little? Just right?

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper

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