Flames defenseman suspended four games for hit on Blue Jackets forward

Andersson was given a match penalty with seconds to go in the game after he appeared to hit Laine with an elbow while leaving his feet.

The Blue Jackets won the contest 3-1.

After the game, Blue Jackets’ head coach Pascal Vincent said the hit should lead to further discipline for Andersson.

“I see a hit to the head and (Andersson) lifting his feet. I saw the replay,” explained Vincent. “That’s illegal in my book. So we’ll let the NHL deal with it.”

Andersson has never been suspended in his eight-year NHL career.

The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reported on Saturday that Laine did not travel with the team to Minnesota for their matchup vs. the Wild. The Blue Jackets PR account later confirmed the report, adding that Laine will miss Saturday’s game.

The Blue Jackets are now 2-2-0 to start the season, while the Flames are now 2-2-1.

In four games this season, Laine has one goal and one assist. In 2022-23, he scored 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 55 games.

As for Andersson, he has one goal and two assists through five games. In 2022-23, he had 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points through 79 games.

The next matchup between the Flames and Blue Jackets is scheduled to be played  Jan. 25, 2024 in Calgary.