Toronto Maple Leafs’ Pierre Engvall suspended one game for high-sticking

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Pierre Engvall has been suspended for one game after high-sticking Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Durzi.

The incident in question occurred during the third period of Thursday night’s game between the Leafs and the Kings. Engvall and Durzi were physically engaging with each other, taking turns with shoves before Engvall finished it off with a slash of his stick to the helmet of Durzi.

Engvall received a five minute major penalty for the infraction and was ejected from the game as well. He had yet to receive any supplemental discipline from the DOPS so far in his career, so this is the first time he’s been fined or suspended.

Killing the five minute major penalty and losing Engvall didn’t set the Leafs back, as they went on to win the game 5-0, although they did initially allow a goal on the five-minute penalty kill that was called back for being offside. Despite the ejection, Engvall had made a positive impact in the game by opening the scoring with a power play goal.

It was a much needed goal for Engvall, as he’s had a bit of a down year with just four goals, three assists, and seven points in 27 games so far this season. He’s coming off a career year in 2021-22, where he had 15 goals, 20 assists, and 35 points in 78 games.

The Leafs already made a roster move earlier in the day, calling winger Joey Anderson up from their AHL team, the Toronto Marlies. However, that move is likely in response to the shoulder injury of Nick Robertson, who is slated to miss some significant time according to Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe. Anderson has 11 goals, eight assists, and 19 points in 21 games with the Marlies this season.