Canadiens’ Juraj Slafkovsky suspended two games for boarding Red Wings’ Matt Luff

Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky has been suspended two games after boarding Detroit Red Wings forward Matt Luff on Tuesday night.

The hit came late in the third period of Montreal’s 3-2 victory. Luff, who recently received 16 stitches and lost teeth after taking a puck to the face, was trying to retrieve the puck near the boards when Slafkovsky hit the off-balance Red Wing from behind.

Luff immediately went to the changeroom and coach Derek Lalone said he’ll be out long-term with an upper-body injury. Slafkovsky was ejected from the game.

Slafkovsky, selected first overall in 2022, will be eligible to return for Montreal’s game against New Jersey next Tuesday.

Slafkovsky has three goals in 10 games with the Canadiens this season, missing a few games with an upper-body injury. He has struggled to find his groove early, but as an 18-year-old rookie, some teething issues were to be expected.

Luff, 25, has one goal in seven games with the Red Wings this season. He was calle dup in late October after posting three goals and seven points in five AHL games with Grand Rapids. Luff has 127 points in 174 games over seven years in the AHL and has 24 points in 94 games with Los Angeles, Nashville and Detroit.