Keith Banned for Five

The NHL has handed Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith a 5-game ban for his elbow to the head of Daniel Sedin of the Canucks.  As explained in the video below, Keith made a reckless and dangerous play to Sedin's head and there was a concussion involved.

The suspension will make Keith eligible to return to the ice on Thursday, April 5th, when the Blackhawks visit Minnesota to take on the Wild.

The Blackhawks are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race and it will likely take a lot from the remaining defenders to amp up and fill his void.  The Hawks are in 6th, going into Friday's action, 7 points up on 9th, which is a 3-game losing streak away, so there might be a little bit of concern that way, but it will certainly make things more interesting.



The only team hot enough to possibly make the top 10 at this point, belonging to the pool duo of Kristy and Don, has taken a pretty good hit with this suspension, as Keith has been very good for them and they will certainly miss his production down this last stretch. With 40 points this season, Keith has been a pretty good blueliner for the pools and will be missed.