Islanders' Jonathan Drouin Likely Facing Suspension for Reckless Cross-Check

The 2025/26 NHL season got underway for many on Thursday with a loaded slate of games, and surprisingly, one of the best games of the night was between Metropolitan Division rivals in the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The game ended 4-3 in the favour of the 2-0-0 Penguins, but in a matchup between fierce division rivals, things were always going to get heated at some point.

Early on Friday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety released a post on social media stating that Islanders veteran Jonathan Drouin was facing a suspension for his act of cross-checking Pittsburgh's Connor Dewar in the face.

The play happened blatantly in front of the officials, and can be seen as a cross check to the face as clear as day, and the meeting, which will be held over the phone can carry a maximum punishment of a five-game suspension.

This scuffle was one of many between the two teams in their early season showdown, and with things getting chippy around the bench, Drouin did something that the NHL have been cracking down on in a major way in recent times.

Just last season, we even saw superstar Connor McDavid suspended for the exact same act, and given that the league likely want to crack down on this early, a suspension may be likely for the veteran.

The Islanders next game comes on Saturday against the Washington Capitals, but with the phone interview set to be held today, we'll know whether or not Drouin will be available for that clash long before it happens.