Dustin Byfuglien Suspended 4 Games for Hit on J.T. Miller: Details and Reaction

The NHL announced Thursday that Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien will be suspended for four games after his cross-check on New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller during Tuesday's game.

You can view a replay of the incident below, along with an explanation for the punishment.

Bleacher Report's Dave Lozo was a bit surprised that Byfuglien only received a four-game punishment:

"

Byfuglien got lucky. If he had broken Miller’s neck he may have gotten a fifth game.

— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) April 2, 2015"

Adam Herman of SB Nation's Blueshirt Banter also felt a stronger punishment was warranted, alluding to the fact Sean Avery received a six-game suspension in 2008 for disparaging comments he made about his ex-girlfriends:

Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski added that the length of the punishment means that Byfuglien will return for what could be a pivotal game in the Jets' season:

Winnipeg is currently holding on to the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Jets have 90 points on the season and are two points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings, who have a game in hand.

A lengthy suspension for Byfuglien could have been seriously detrimental to Winnipeg's postseason place. However, as Wyshynski noted, the 30-year-old will be back for the team's regular-season finale.