Jeff Skinner receives multi-game suspension for cross-checking Jake Guentzel.

The National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety has thrown the book at Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner.

The Department of Player Safety has announced that Skinner will now serve a 3 game suspension following a cross-check he delivered to the face and head of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel during a game contested between the Sabres and Penguins on Friday. The league has acted swiftly and harshly on this matter due to a number of factors, although I suspect the fact that these two teams will once again meet later today may have also played a role in the league acting with a firm hand here.

There was no disputing the fact that Skinner cross-checked Guentzel in the face and he was assessed a match penalty at the time for his actions, but the league felt that this particular incident warranted additional games. The league cited the fact that Skinner instigated the incident, as well as the fact that he appeared to be directly targeting the head of his opponent as the primary reasons for why the punishment in this case will be so severe.

For a full breakdown of the league's ruling on the matter, you can check out the video below: