NHL Suspends Leafs' McMann One Game for High-Sticking

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann was suspended for one game by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning winger Oliver Bjorkstrand during a 2-0 victory on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena.

The incident unfolded three minutes into the third period amid an on-ice scrum. It stemmed from a hit by Lightning forward Gage Goncalves on Maple Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis, prompting McMann to swing his stick near Bjorkstrand's head in retaliation. McMann received a match penalty, resulting in his ejection from the game. According to the league's review, McMann had lifted his stick to avoid an approaching linesperson before being shoved by Bjorkstrand and bringing the stick down from a dangerous height, striking him in the head with sufficient force to warrant discipline. Bjorkstrand continued playing, logging three shifts after the play and appearing in Tampa Bay's next game against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.

McMann, a 29-year-old undrafted right winger in his fourth NHL season, will miss Toronto's matchup against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. He is eligible to return for the home game against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday....