Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was suspended for five games by the NHL on Monday for clipping Vancouver Canucks defenceman Sami Salo.
The play occurred at the 18:47 mark of the second period in Vancouver's 4-3 win in Boston on Saturday.
Salo skated toward Marchand to lay a check over a loose puck near the boards and the Bruins forward ducked down low, taking the Canucks defenceman out at the knees.
"While we understand that in certain circumstances a player may duck or bail instinctively in order to protect himself from an imminent, dangerous check, we do not view this play as defensive or instinctive," league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan said in a statement.
"We feel this was a predatory, low hit delivered intentionally by Marchand in order to flip his opponent over him."
Marchand is classified as a repeat offender under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after receiving a two-game suspension in March 2011.
He will miss games against Winnipeg on Jan. 10, versus Montreal on Jan. 12, at Carolina on Jan. 14, in Florida on Jan. 16 and on Jan. 17 when the Bruins visit Tampa Bay.
Marchand will be eligible to return on Jan. 19 when Boston visits the Devils.
The Bruins forward will forfeit $152,439.02 (U.S.) in salary to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund