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NHL Playoffs 2014: Brent Seabrook suspended 3 games for hit on David Backes

By Josh Hill

Apr 19, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) is escorted off the ice by linesman Brad Kovachik (71) with a 5 minute penalty and a game misconduct after after a hit on St. Louis Blues center David Backes (not pictured) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) is escorted off the ice by linesman Brad Kovachik (71) with a 5 minute penalty and a game misconduct after after a hit on St. Louis Blues center David Backes (not pictured) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 19, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) is escorted off the ice by linesman Brad Kovachik (71) with a 5 minute penalty and a game misconduct after after a hit on St. Louis Blues center David Backes (not pictured) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) is escorted off the ice by linesman Brad Kovachik (71) with a 5 minute penalty and a game misconduct after after a hit on St. Louis Blues center David Backes (not pictured) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

The opening round playoff series between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues has been heavy hitting to say the least but the heaviest hit of all came in Game 2 when Brent Seabrook drove his shoulder into the head of David Backes and just about knocked him unconscious.

As a result, CSNChicago is reporting that Seabrook as been suspended for three games by the NHL which means hem ay miss the remainder of the Blackhawks short stay in the postseason.

Bakces tried to retaliate but looked like a guy in an old west saloon who had just got decked in the chin and was stumbling to try and defend himself. Both players left the game for separate reasons and while Backes may return for Game 3, Seabrook will not.

The hit was debatable, as it appeared that Backes was falling down after Seabrook launched himself at him but the fact that Seabrook left his skates is a major sticking point in the argument against it being anywhere near a legal hit. Losing Seabrook is critical for the Hawks as they’re already down 2-0 in the series and are now down one of their best players moving forward in three must win games without him.

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