Canadiens C Plekanec suspended

Feb 13, 2009 - 12:22 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens will have to try to end their losing streak without Tomas Plekanec.

The center on Thursday was suspended two games without pay by the NHL as a result of an incident in Montreal's 7-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers a day earlier.

With 4:29 expired in the second period, Plekanec tripped Denis Grebeshkov from behind, sending the Edmonton defenseman crashing feet-first into the end boards. The Russian, who was helped off the ice by the team's trainer and assisted to the locker room, suffered a high ankle sprain and did not return to the game.

The 26-year-old Plekanec, who will forfeit $17,204.30 of his salary, will miss Montreal's game at Colorado on Friday and their contest at Vancouver on Sunday. He will be eligible to return to the Canadiens' lineup for Wednesday's road game against the Washington Capitals.

A third-round pick in 2001, Plekanec has recorded 11 goals and 14 assists in 55 games this season. The 5-11, 197-pound Czech has collected 69 tallies and 170 points in 286 contests.

Montreal has lost four straight games, including the first two of its season-high six-game road trip.