Ryan Reaves receives multi-game suspension from NHL Player Safety.

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves is going to have some extra time off.

On Sunday, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety officially announced that Reaves would be suspended for the next 5 games as a result of the illegal check to the head he delivered to Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse on Saturday night.

The Maple Leafs only have a single game on their schedule this coming week, a Wednesday night clash against the Las Vegas Golden Knights, which means that Reaves won't be eligible to return to the lineup until December 4th when the Maple Leafs face off against the Nashville Predators.

It comes as no surprise that Reaves has received a multi-game suspension as a result of this infraction, especially given the gruesome scene that it produced on Saturday night. The Oilers and Maple Leafs were the featured game on Hockey Night in Canada and the hit left Nurse a complete mess. Not only was Nurse cut as a result of the hit, with crimson pouring down his face, but it was also clearly visible on the ice and in his visor as well. If you somehow have not yet seen the incident yourself, you can check out the short clip below:

One of the more interesting story lines that will likely emerge from this will be how the Oilers choose to respond later this season. Saturday night's game between the Oilers and Maple Leafs was the first of two meetings between these two teams this season, and with such a devastating hit delivered to one of the Oilers' most veteran players you have to wonder what kind of reaction we will see from the Oilers in the second game. That game is scheduled to take place on the 1st of February, in Edmonton, and I suspect that is a date that many players, and fans, will have marked on their calendars.

For a full breakdown of the NHL's ruling you can view the video below: