Vegas' Reaves banned 2 games for actions toward Avalanche's Graves

Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves will sit out a pair of contests for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct against Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Monday.

Reaves was assessed a match penalty for attempting to injure Graves during a scrum in the third period of Colorado's 7-1 victory in Game 1 of their second-round series Sunday.

Match penalty for Ryan Reaves for attempt to injure pic.twitter.com/7JEMzSN2h8

- The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) May 31, 2021

The NHL said both Reaves and the Golden Knights admitted his behavior was in retaliation for Graves' earlier hit on Mattias Janmark, which forced the Vegas forward to leave the game.

"While some of the actions taken by Reaves could be sufficiently penalized by the on-ice officials, the totality of Reaves' actions combined with the game situation and the retribution involved in the play necessitates supplemental discipline," the league said.

Reaves was previously suspended one game for hitting Vancouver Canucks forward Tyler Motte in the head during Game 7 of their second-round series last year.

Game 2 between the Golden Knights and Avalanche is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.

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