Daniel Carcillo suspended 10 games by NHL

The NHL has given New York Rangers forward Daniel Carcillo an automatic 10-game suspension after he was ejected for physical abuse of officials during the first period of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Carcillo was punished Friday for a "Category II" infraction after he appeared to twice elbow linesman Scott Driscoll, who was trying to keep Carcillo away from a fight Thursday night. Carcillo won't be able to return to the New York lineup before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final, should the Rangers advance past the Montreal Canadiens.

Just 5:51 into Thursday's game, the NHL says "Carcillo physically applied force to linesman Scott Driscoll while being escorted to the penalty box."

A Category II offence is described as an infraction in which a player deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner, without intent to injure.

Later Friday, the NHL suspended Montreal forward Brandon Prust for two games for his hit on Derek Stepan in Game 3. Prust wasn't penalized on the play. Stepan's jaw was broken on the hit.

Montreal won Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, 3-2 in overtime to cut New York's series lead to 2-1.