Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning pursues Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amalie Arena on April 25, 2015 in Tampa, Florida.Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
The Detroit Red Wings will have to try advancing to the second round of the NHL playoffs without defenceman Niklas Kronwall.
Kronwall received a one-game suspension from the NHL on Tuesday for charging Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov during the Lightning's 5-2 road victory Monday night. Kronwall laid out Kucherov with a big hit in the second period that on replay showed forearm-to-head contact.
Kucherov had the puck along the right boards. Just after he made a pass, Kronwall went airborne to deliver a hit that resulted in his forearm striking Kucherov's head.
No penalty was called on the play. Kucherov left the game but returned for the third and said he was OK.
Detroit general manager Ken Holland was brief in his reaction to the suspension, saying, "We disagree with the decision."
"I thought it was a good hit," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said before the suspension was announced. "Kucherov was leaning back trying to get out of the way. Kroner's foot was on the ice when he made contact."
Kronwall participated in a telephone hearing earlier Tuesday with the NHL Department of Player Safety.
The suspension means Kronwall won't play Wednesday night when the Red Wings visit the Lightening in the seventh and deciding game of their first-round series.