PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan will not be suspended for his dangerous hit on Kris Letang in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Friday night, NHL officials confirmed Saturday.
Callahan drove the star Pittsburgh defenseman head-first into the boards with a hit from behind just 2:50 into Game 1. Callahan, who has no history of being suspended by the league, was assessed a five-minute major for boarding but remained in the game.
There had been speculation that Callahan could be further suspended for the hit but officials with the league's department of player safety determined that the on-ice call, plus the fact that Letang returned to action later in the first period, did not meet the standards for supplemental discipline.
Callahan also will not be fined, officials said.
The Lightning went on to win Game 1, 3-1. Game 2 is set for Monday night in Pittsburgh.