Kings’ Drew Doughty suspended one game for illegal check

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty was suspended one game by the NHL on Thursday for an illegal check during Wednesday’s Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Vegas Golden Knights.

In a video explaining the decision to suspend Doughty, the league says he could have avoided a hit to William Carrier’s head on a check made in the middle of the third period. Doughty looks to head off Carrier to prevent him from attacking the goal, and he ends up going towards Carrier’s head. The league felt the contact could have been avoided.

Doughty’s hit on Carrier pic.twitter.com/9Iy6cOoQZg

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 12, 2018

Vegas took Game 1 of the first round series. Game 2 is set for Friday night.