Oilers' Corey Potter suspended for two games

The seemingly one-a-day suspension parade continued Monday when Edmonton Oilers defenseman Corey Potter was handed a two-game ban.

The league suspended him for a hit from behind on Anaheim Ducks forward Nick Bonino at what the NHL's Brian Leetch called a dangerous distance from the boards.

"At no point throughout this play does Potter see anything but Bonino's numbers," Leetch said. "It is also important to note that Bonino does not twist or turn in any way immediately prior to his check to contribute to his being hit from behind. Therefore, Potter must avoid this hit completely."

Bonino went to the dressing room but quickly returned.

Potter will forfeit $7,948.72 in the first suspension of his career.

The Department of Player Safety has handed out eight recent suspensions and one fnie, starting on Dec. 9 and led by the 15-gamer to Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton, who will appeal. The only day without an announcement was Dec. 12.

A hearing is already on the docket for Wednesday because Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Deryk Engelland has an in-person meeting over his head hit on the Detroit Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader.

That indicates he could get more than five games. He was suspended for three games in December 2011 for a head hit on Chicago's Marcus Kruger.

"Watching the hit, I'm just trying to make a hockey play, stick-on-puck. Kind of protect myself going into the wall there, too," Engelland told the team's website. "To hear that is in-person, I don't know how exactly they decide, but it is what it is. Just got to see what happens.

"I have no idea (what to expect from the meeting). I have never had one so I can't tell you that. I'm not sure what to expect. Just try to explain what I was thinking on the play and see what happens."