The Islanders will be without one of their free agent forward additions for their second game of the season.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Friday that Jonathan Drouin has officially been suspended one game for his cross-check late in Thursday's season opener.
With just over 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Drouin threw a rough cross-check to the head of Penguins forward Connor Dewar during a net-front scrum.
The veteran was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct on the play.
Friday morning, the league announced that he would have a hearing, and shortly after news of his ban broke.
This is Drouin's first career suspension, but he has been fined in the past for another cross-checking incident (2022).
Prior to his absence, the winger enjoyed himself a strong debut with the Islanders, scoring the team's opening goal of the season during in the first period.
