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Defying the predictions of all but the most partisan observers, NHL Discipline has handed down a five-game suspension for Duncan Keith.
Head of Discipline Brendan Shanahan termed Keith's hit to Daniel Sedin's head "reckless and dangerous."
I buy levying a suspension for what was clearly a retaliatory and dangerous hit. I can even see Sedin, who will apparently miss some action, going unpunished for the head shot that Keith retaliated for.
I suspect as well as the Hawks are playing, losing Keith will not dramatically affect their playoff positioning. But five games seems extreme for a first time offender who was hit in the head first.
It is water under the bridge at this point. But it also seems to this observer that "reckless and dangerous and causing injury" applies to other hits that Shanahan seems to turn a blind eye to or feels are "borderline— head shots, raised elbows, feet leaving the ice, obvious intent to injure, and some from the same player over and over again.
And I've become a broken record on that topic.
I'll be back with a Nashville Preview Sunday, as well as some further discussion of the ramifications of Keith's absence.
Thanks for reading,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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