Golden Knights' Alex Pietrangelo Suspended for Slashing Oilers' Leon Draisaitl

The NHL Department Player of Safety has suspended Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo for one game after he intentionally slashed Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl in Game 4 of the teams' second-round Stanley Cup playoff series on Wednesday.

The incident happened near the end of Edmonton's 4-1 home victory to tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Draisaitl attempted to put the puck into an empty net with a minute-plus left.

Well after the shot, Pietrangelo skated over and delivered a two-handed slash to the Oiler star's left arm. Pietrangelo was given a major penalty and a game misconduct.

The department stated that Pietrangelo "ignored the play, raised his stick and delivered a slash to a vulnerable area of his opponent with sufficient force" in explaining its decision, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. This marks the first time Pietrangelo has been suspended or fined in his 15-year career.

The NHL Department of Player Safety held a hearing on the matter earlier Thursday before rendering a decision on Pietrangelo's intentional slash.

They also issued an automatic one-game suspension for Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of regulation with Nicolas Hague.

Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff and ESPN's Greg Wyshynski provided commentary on the matter.

Vegas will host Edmonton for Game 5 on Friday at 10 p.m. ET.