Brent Seabrook suspended three games for hit on David Backes

The defending champion Chicago Blackhawks already are in trouble in their first-round series, trailing 2-0.

Now they will be without key defenseman Brent Seabrook as they attempt a comeback.

The league suspended him three games for his hit that knocked St. Louis Blues captain David Backes out of the game. The suspension, the first of Seabrook's career, is based on charging and interference.

"As Backes continues on his path toward the corner, well away from the puck and past the timeframe in which he is eligible to be checked, Seabrook drives up and into Backes delivering a blow with his right shoulder that causes Backes to slam violently into the glass and boards," said Patrick Burke of the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

Backes had tried scooping up a loose puck but missed it. That's when Seabrook caught the center, whom Burke described as "defenseless," with a high hit with his shoulder. Backes' head hit the glass and lip of the boards.

"I was just trying to make a play on Backes," Seabrook told reporters after the game. "I thought the puck was there. I was on (Alexander) Steen. I was just coming down the wall and I just tried to finish my hit."

Burke noted that Seabrook is at the faceoff circle when Backes overskates the puck, so he has time to avoid the hit. Even though it's "possible" Seabrook didn't realize Backes was without the puck, "the onus still is on Seabrook to ensure that he does not hit an ineligible opponent."

Backes tried getting up to join in the ensuing scrum but had trouble standing and lost his balance at one point.

Coach Ken Hitchcock said that Backes wasn't doing great after the game, but gave no specifics. Backes missed two games earlier this season with a concussion.

"I feel bad seeing a guy like that on the ice. I've been there myself. I'm not trying to target his head," Seabrook said. "I'm not trying to do anything like that. But it doesn't feel good to see a player like that lying there like that."

This is the first playoff suspension handed out by Stephane Quintal in his new role as league disciplinarian. He did suspend the Minnesota Wild's Mike Rupp for four games for a hit on the Blues' T.J. Oshie. Three of those games are being served in the playoffs.

Suspensions typically tend to be shorter during the playoffs, though previous disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan did hand out two or more games on several occasions during his tenure in the 2013 and 2012 playoffs.

Seabrook is the Blackhawks' leading playoff scorer with four points in two games. Despite getting kicked out on Saturday, he averaged more than 30 minutes in the opening two losses.

Jimmy Hascup contributed to this story.

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