Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt was suspended five games by the NHL on Friday for elbowing Maple Leafs forward Niklas Hagman in the head on Thursday night. "We are disappointed to lose a player of Brendan's caliber and character for this period of time, but we understand the League's concerns regarding hits to the head," Islanders general manager Garth Snow said in a statement.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Denis Gauthier has been suspended for two games, without pay, as a result of an incident during NHL Game #870, Feb. 19 against the San Jose Sharks, the National Hockey League announced. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Gauthier will forfeit $22,580.64. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. Gauthier was assessed a minor for boarding after making contact with Sharks' forward Patrick Marleau on an icing play at 10:14 of the third period. There was no injury as a result of the play. Gauthier will miss games against Phoenix on Feb. 21 and at Minnesota on Feb. 24. He will be eligible to return on Feb. 25 at Philadelphia.

The NHL has suspended Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec for two games without pay for tripping a player from behind during a game. In the second period of Wednesday's game against Edmonton, Plekanac took down Oilers defenseman Denis Grebeshkov from behind.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Denis Gauthier has been suspended for five games, without pay, as a result of a blow to the head delivered during NHL Game #732, Jan. 31 against the Montreal Canadiens, the National Hockey League announced. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Gauthier will forfeit $56,451.61. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. Gauthier was assessed a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct for hitting Canadiens' defenseman Josh Gorges at 3:50 of the second period. Gauthier will miss games at Ottawa on Feb. 3, at Washington on Feb. 5, at New Jersey on Feb. 7, at New York Islanders on Feb. 10 and against Calgary on Feb. 12. He will be eligible to return on Feb. 14 against Edmonton.