Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) handles the puck as St. Louis Blues defenseman Marco Scandella (6) defends. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Golden Knights' Chandler Stephenson suspended three games for elbowing Kings' Tobias Bjornfot

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Apr 1, 2021 5:55 PM ET

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced on Thursday that Vegas Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson has been suspended three games for elbowing Los Angeles Kings defenseman Tobias Bjornfot late in the second period of Wednesday's game that the Kings won 4-2.

"It is important to note that while we accept Stephenson's argument that he did not attempt to hit Bjornfot in the head, this is not a case where a blow to an opponent's torso or shoulder rides up and makes subsequent or glancing contact with his head. This is a direct and forceful elbow to an opponent's head, which caused an injury," the league explained, per Sean O'Leary of theScore.

Stephenson had no prior suspensions before he was ejected from Wednesday's contest and will forfeit $71,120.70. That money will go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

According to the RotoWire Staff, Bjornfot is considered doubtful for Friday's matchup against the San Jose Sharks.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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