Pens’ Adams suspended for fighting

The NHL suspended Pittsburgh Penguins forward Craig Adams for one game for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of Sunday’s game and will hold hearings today with teammates James Neal (charging) and Arron Asham (crosschecking). Penguins coach Dan Bylsma will be fined $10,000 because of Adams’ suspension. The Penguins face elimination by the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan is getting even busier.

With two hearings already on his docket for today, he’ll have to assess whether to suspend Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom.

Backstrom received a match penalty for cross-checking Boston Bruins forward Rich Peverley in the face as time expired Monday.

He had been called twice earlier in the game for cross-checking and also for tripping.

The NHL earlier announced that Pittsburgh Penguins forwards James Neal and Arron Asham would face hearings today for their actions in Sunday’s fight-filled 8-4 loss.

Asham was offered an in-person hearing, meaning his suspension could top five games.

He got a match penalty after he cross-checked Philadelphia Flyers forward Brayden Schenn, then punched him in the back of the head. Schenn had checked Penguins defenseman Paul Martin before Asham reacted.

Neal left his feet when he checked Philadelphia’s Sean Couturier in the third period. That hit was not penalized, but Neal also will be looked at for his charging penalty against Flyers star Claude Giroux.

Neal had 40 goals during the regular season and is tied for the Penguins’ playoff scoring lead with five points.

He had been fined $2,500 in November for high-sticking Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban.

Around the rinks

Ottawa Senators forward Zenon Konopka was fined $2,500 for verbally abusing a New York Rangers player who was doing a pregame interview. The team was fined $10,000. . . . Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson (concussion) missed Game 3.