Additional punishment is likely for Hathaway
Garnet Hathaway was ejected for spitting on an opponent and now the Washington Capitals winger may have to swallow more punishment from the NHL.
Hathaway was given a match penalty for spitting on Anaheim defenseman Erik Gudbranson in a brawl during the Capitals’ 5-2 victory Monday. That carries with it an automatic suspension pending a review by the NHL, and it is likely the Capitals won’t have Hathaway in the lineup Wednesday night in New York against the Rangers.
There is little precedent for Hathaway’s actions, other than the part of the rulebook that deems it worthy of an ejection and the league’s process of having its hockey operations department review each match penalty. Boston’s Brad Marchand was warned during the playoffs last spring about licking opponents but was not suspended.
Hathaway faces a hearing Wednesday.
“You never want to sit and leave guys hanging and not be able to help out,” Hathaway said. “It would be unfortunate if I wasn’t (playing), but they are a team that can handle themselves and not worried about them in the outcomes of games.”
A day after drawing scorn from Gudbranson and the Ducks and generating buzz for spitting, Hathaway reiterated his remorse about the incident late in the second period.
“I regret doing it,” Hathaway said. “I didn’t have any arms free and made an emotional decision that I wish I didn’t, but right now I am trying to move on from it and there is nothing that I can do but apologize.”
Hathaway has been a strong addition for the Capitals, putting up two goals and five assists and adding some grit that was missing last season. Now they’ll likely have to compensate for his absence for at least a game, if not longer. BLUES 3, LIGHTNING 1 >> Oskar Sundqvist and David Perron scored to lead St. Louis past Tampa Bay, spoiling Pat Maroon’s much-anticipated return to St. Louis after helping his hometown team to a Stanley Cup title last season.
Maroon, a St. Louis native, made his first trip back to the city since signing a one-year contract with the Lightning in the offseason.
Before the opening faceoff, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong presented Maroon with his Stanley Cup championship ring on the ice with former teammate Vladimir Taraskeno, who is out with an injury, alongside as well. Maroon received a standing ovation and as he waved to the crowd, the fans responded with thunderous cheers.
JETS 2, PREDATORS 1 >> Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers scored, Connor Hellebuyck made 38 saves, and Winnipeg defeated Nashville. The teams are heading in opposite directions in the tough Central Division. Winnipeg has won three in a row and five of six. The reeling Predators have lost five straight and seven of eight. ISLANDERS 5, PENGUINS 4 >> Brock Nelson’s second goal of the game 2:55 into overtime capped a frantic comeback to lift New York over Pittsburgh, extending the Islanders’ points streak to 15 games.
The Islanders trailed by two late in the third period before goals by Josh Bailey and Ryan Pulock in the final 4:29 of regulation forced overtime. Nelson won it when he fired a shot at Matt Murray that trickled to the goaltender’s right. Nelson tapped in the rebound for his sixth goal of the season.
STARS 6, CANUCKS 1 >> Jamie Benn scored twice, Ben Bishop made 32 saves, and Dallas won its fourth straight. The Stars have a nine-game points streak (80-1) and are 11-1-1 in their past 13 games. Benn has three goals in the past two games after scoring only once in his first 20 games. WILD 4, SABRES 1 >> Zach Parise scored twice, Alex Stalock made 30 saves and Minnesota beat Buffalo. BRUINS 5, DEVILS 1 >> David Pastrnak and Matt Grzelcyk scored two goals apiece, and Brad Marchand added three assists to lead Boston over New Jersey.
BLUE JACKETS 5, CANADIENS 2>> Pierre-Luc Dubois had two goals and an assist, and rookie Emil Bemstrom added a goal and an assist for Columbus.
SENATORS 4, RED WINGS 3 >> Anthony Duclair had two goals and an assist, and Ottawa Senators held on to beat Detroit. The Red Wings saw a five-game points streak (30-2) end.
HURRICANES 4, BLACKHAWKS 2 >> Nino Niederreiter had a goal and an assist, and Carolina won its fourth straight.