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Alex Edler suspended two games for knee-on-knee collision with Zach Hyman

As expected, the Vancouver Canucks will be without Alex Edler for the rematch Tuesday night versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The NHL announced Monday that Edler will sit two games, and forfeit over $100,000 in salary, for delivering a sloppy knee-on-knee hit on Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman.

Hyman exited the game and did not return. His status for Tuesday's game and beyond is unknown.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alex Edler has been suspended two games for a knee-on-knee hit on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman. (Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alex Edler has been suspended two games for a knee-on-knee hit on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman. (Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Vancouver will dive deeper into the reserves to spot Edler, having dressed Jalen Chatfield and Guillaume Brisebois on the blue line in its return from a lengthy COVID-19 pause.

Edler was levied a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit, which Leafs forward William Nylander classified as "dirty," though it might have been more to do with fatigue as anything.

Still, Edler deserves what is essentially a three-game ban after being ejected for the blow.

As one of the Leafs' best players, Hyman's health is a major a story moving forward for the team, which fancies itself as a contender for the Stanley Cup. Hyman had major surgery to repair the ACL in the very same joint almost two years ago.

He will apparently have an MRI at some point Monday in Vancouver.

Hyman has 15 goals and 33 points in 43 games this season.

Edler has had a mostly tough year, contributing only six assists in 37 starts.

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