NHL DoPS Makes Official Decision on Mason Marchment Suspension Fate After Slash to Referee

Not only did Skilliter not react to Marchment, but there was no penalty called on the play. But now, the NHL Department of Player Safety has issued their ruling.

NHL Rules 40.1 through 40.3 state as follows:

Any player who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official, in any manner attempts to injure an official, physically demeans, or deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall receive a game misconduct penalty. In addition, the following (40.2, 40.3, 40.4) disciplinary penalties shall apply.

Any player who deliberately strikes an official and causes injury or who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official with intent to injure, or who in any manner attempts to injure an official shall be automatically suspended for not less than twenty (20) games. (For the purpose of the rule, "intent to injure" shall mean any physical force which a player knew or should have known could reasonably be expected to cause injury.)

Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category I), which physical force is applied without intent to injure, or who spits on an official, shall be automatically suspended for not less than ten (10) games.

This wasn't the smartest play we've seen thus far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so it's not surprising at all to see them rule this way on the situation.

Ultimately, the DoPS have been very inconsistent in recent times, and it's never easy to know which way they are going to rule.