Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen suspended

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced on Friday that Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen would be suspended for two games after high-sticking Boston Bruins forward David Krejci on Thursday night.

Rasmussen caught Krejci high along the side of the head with his stick after finishing his check. Krejci was forced to leave the game due to injury and did not return. At first sight, it didn’t seem like much, a penalty, sure, but a suspension did not seem warranted. It was undoubtedly reckless use of the stick, but a two-game suspension? Interesting.

Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen was suspended for two games.

Michael Rasmussen quickly became a frequent flier ending up in the penalty box three times throughout the game. The Bruins torched the Red Wings to the tune of 5-1. Boston would go 3-6 on the power play, while the Red Wings couldn’t seem to get anything going at all with the man advantage going 0-5.

Rasmussen has one goal and five points over Detroit’s first seven games of the season.

I thought the elbow that somehow went undetected against Joe Veleno was far more dangerous than the Rasmussen hit on Krejci.

The hit on Veleno was a touch late, direct contact to the head, and Derek Forbort extended his elbow upon contact. Following the hit, Veleno required attention at the bench as blood was visible. For the record, no penalty was called on the play, with the official only a few feet away.

It seems complicated to come away with many positives in a 5-1 routing, but the Detroit Red Wings played a much more competitive game during five-on-five play than they did a few nights ago at home against the New Jersey Devils. Detroit’s penalty kill had been spectacular to start the year but failed them Thursday night.

Also, the Bruins had been Detroit’s first ‘real’ test of the season. Boston is a bona fide bully on the ice and a legitimate Stanley Cup contender this season.

The Red Wings have struggled to win faceoffs all season long, and things didn’t look promising heading into Boston, knowing how deep the Bruins are down the middle, led by Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Charlie Coyle. Detroit was able to win 51.7% of the draws. After back-to-back blowouts, we need to find any positives we can.

The Detroit Red Wings will look to get back on track Saturday night when they host the Minnesota Wild at Little Caesars Arena. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm Est.