Rangers D John Moore suspended 5 games for head hit on Wild's Haula

The NHL Department of Player Safety has suspended New York Rangers defenseman John Moore five games for his illegal check to the head on Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula Monday night. This is Moore's second suspension, as he received a two-game ban in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs for a check to the head of Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise.

Moore had an in-person hearing with the NHL's disciplinary arm Wednesday. That allowed them to suspend Moore for more than five games had they chosen to do so.

In the video, director of player safety Patrick Burke explained that Haula's head was the main point of contact. It was also clarified that Moore did not hit Haula with his elbow, but with his shoulder and that Haula is eligible to be hit on the play. It was Moore's responsibility to hit Haula squarely through the body, but his angle did not allow him to do so.

As a result, the DPS came up with five games for Moore due to the fact that it was illegal contact to the head, Haula was injured on the play and Moore is considered a repeat offender under the CBA.