Rangers defender K’Andre Miller will be unavailable for the next few games after being issued a three-game suspension from the NHL for spitting on Kings' veteran Drew Doughty.
Miller, who was ejected from the game after a review from the officials, apologized for his actions, though he claimed he didn’t intend to spit on Doughty in the incident on Sunday, insisting it was accidental.
“I have all the respect in the world for Drew Doughty and what happened was completely accidental,” Miller said via Twitter. "I would never intend to do something like that on purpose, it goes against everything I am as a person and player. I felt awful about it and I am thankful Drew gave me the opportunity to apologize and explain myself in person after the game.”
The NHL's Department of Player Safety reviewed the situation on Monday, before announcing a three-game suspension for the 23-year-old on Tuesday.
The incident in question occurred during Sunday’s game between Los Angeles and New York. During a standard stoppage in play, players from both teams got into each others faces. Despite nothing out of the ordinary going on in the scrum, Miller could be seen spitting directly into the face of Doughty, resulting in a match penalty and an ejection.
Miller figures to be sidelined for the Rangers’ looming matchups against the Flyers, Senators, and the league-leading Bruins. He’ll be eligible to return on Thursday, March 9, when the squad heads north of the border for a showdown with the Canadiens.
