Kings’ Tom Gilbert is suspended three games by the NHL

The Kings will be without another one of their defensemen for the next week after Tom Gilbert drew a three-game suspension, according to the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

Gilbert was suspended for boarding Ducks forward Nick Ritchie in the second period of Tuesday’s game between the Kings and Anaheim. The league held a telephone hearing with Gilbert on Thursday and announced its decision in the afternoon.

Ritchie did not return to Tuesday’s game, as per protocol for suspected concussions. He did not play when the Ducks played the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

Gilbert will be eligible to return to the lineup on Nov. 10 at Montreal. The Canadiens, incidentally, are one of his former teams. The Kings, already, are thin on the back end because top-four defenseman Brayden McNabb is on injured reserve.

They will be without Gilbert Wednesday night against Pittsburgh and for the divisional game against Calgary at Staples Center on Saturday and at Toronto on Tuesday.

Gilbert also will forfeit $23,333.34, based on the terms of the collective bargaining agreement..