Lecavalier, Kovalchuk Suspended

Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers were suspended one game by the NHL on Friday.

Lecavalier was suspended for high-sticking New York Ranger forward Dominic Moore during Thursday’s 4-2 loss. Lecavalier was to sit out Friday’s game against Buffalo. The suspension cost him $35,076.53.

Kovalchuk threw his stick into the stands during Thursday’s 6-5 shootout loss to Washington. Kovalchuk was to sit out Friday’s game against New Jersey. He forfeits $32,653.06.

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Jere Lehtinen, the leading goal scorer for the Dallas Stars, missed Friday night’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes because of flu. Lehtinen has 19 goals, tied for eighth-best in the NHL before Friday. He has scored in six of seven games.

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Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Brent Seabrook is expected to be out at least four weeks after spraining his knee against Nashville. He had an MRI exam Thursday, the team said. The Blackhawks recalled defenseman Anton Babchuk from Norfolk of the American Hockey League. Babchuk has played five games with Chicago, getting a goal and two assists.

Seabrook was injured during the second period Wednesday night when he was hit near the Blackhawks’ bench.