Rangers' John Moore suspended two games for hit on Dale Weise

The NHL classified John Moore's hit on Dale Weise in Game 5 as an illegal check to the head. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz) The NHL suspended

The NHL classified John Moore's hit on Dale Weise in Game 5 as an illegal check to the head. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

The NHL suspended Rangers defenseman John Moore two games Wednesday for his hit to head of Canadiens forward Dale Weise Tuesday night.

The NHL Department of Player Safety called the hit during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final an illegal check to the head. The NHL explains via video:

 “Tuesday night in Montreal John Moore delivered an illegal check to the head of Dale Weise. Weise carries the puck through the neutral zone as Moore tracks him through the middle of the ice on the backcheck. After Weise passes the puck to a teammate, Moore drives up and into Weise delivering a hit that makes his head the main point of contact. This is an illegal check to the head.

“Weise is eligible to be checked on the play as the release of the puck and the moment of contact is within established NHL standards however it is important to note that Weise makes no sudden movements prior to or simultaneous with the hit that contribute to his head being the main point of contact. Therefore the onus is on Moore to make sure that he delivers a full body check that does not make Weise’s head the main point of contact.

“While Moore does make incidental contact with Moore’s shoulder, the angle taken and elevation of the hit result in Weise’s head absorbing the brunt of the contact. This was an illegal check to the head. Although he returned to the game and completed it after initially being taken to the dressing room, Weise suffered an injury as a result of the hit.”

Moore was given a 10-minute match penalty for deliberate injury on the play with 10 minutes remaining. The Rangers lost the game 7-4, but still lead the best-of-seven series three games to two.

Moore will not be eligible for Game 6 on Thursday night in New York or a possible Game 7 Saturday in Montreal.

CAZENEUVE: Canadiens close series deficit

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0opMbQMZo8]