Nikita Nesterov Suspended 2 Games for Hit on Curtis McKenzie

The NHL has suspended Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nikita Nesterov for two games for checking Dallas Stars left wing Curtis McKenzie from behind, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

The ruling came in light of a hearing Nesterov had Friday with the NHL Department of Player Safety.

NHL Public Relations released a video explaining Nesterov's punishment.

Nesterov’s hit on McKenzie came in the second period of the Lightning’s 5-3 loss to the Stars on Thursday and sent McKenzie to the hospital with a lower-body injury, per NHL.com. The team placed him on the injured reserve list Friday, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.

Officials handed Nesterov a five-minute major and game misconduct, according to Smith. Stars head coach Lindy Ruff agreed with the decision, per Heika:

Dallas recalled McKenzie Tuesday after placing forward Patrick Eaves on IR, also with a lower-body injury. Thursday’s game was McKenzie’s first of the season. He had four goals and one assist in 36 games for the Stars last year, his first in the league.

Nesterov, who is in his second season with the Lightning, has played in two of the team’s five games this year, accounting for 29 minutes on the ice. He scored two goals on five attempts in 27 games as a rookie in 2014-15.