Emil Lilleberg facing suspension for hit on J.T. Compher.

The Tampa Bay Lightning may have to play a few of their upcoming games without one of their defensemen.

The National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety has confirmed that Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg is facing a potential suspension for a hit he delivered to Detroit Red Wings forward J.T. Compher during the second period of Saturday night's clash between the Lightning and Red Wings.

As far as I'm concerned there's no question that Lilleberg will be suspended for this hit given the way Player Safety has severely punished hits to the head in recent years. This hit from Lilleberg not only caught Compher up high but it came several seconds after he had already released control of the puck, making this one both a late hit as well as a high hit that caught Compher in the head.

The Department of Player Safety has already acknowledged that they consider this to be a late hit as well given the rule under which Lilleberg is being called to a hearing, with Player Safety looking to punish Lilleberg under the "interference" rule.

No time and date has been set for the hearing as of yet but the Lightning won't play again until Tuesday, when they will welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to Tampa Bay, so the league has a few days worth of time to set up a hearing before the next Lightning game.

The only question now, at least in my opinion, is how many games will this hit cost Lilleberg? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.