Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig has been handed a two-game suspension following a controversial incident in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. The NHL Department of Player Safety announced the decision on Monday, citing the severity of the sucker punches delivered during a heated scrum late in the second period.

The altercation began when Senators forward Warren Foegele engaged with Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker along the boards. As tensions escalated, Greig entered the fray and delivered an overhand punch to Walker. Moments later, with Foegele holding Walker in a headlock, Greig landed a "forceful gloved uppercut" to Walker's head, as described in the league's suspension video.

The suspension will be served at the start of the 2025-26 season, as the Senators were eliminated from the playoffs following a 4-2 loss in that same game. For Greig, the incident marks a costly lapse in judgment during an otherwise promising postseason debut.

Speaking at his end-of-season media availability, Greig took full responsibility for his actions. "I've got to do a better job of controlling my emotions," he told reporters. "That's all I'll say now." He also acknowledged that Walker had done nothing to provoke the punches, making the play particularly egregious in the eyes of league officials.

The suspension comes at a time when playoff intensity is at its peak across the NHL, with several other series featuring physical confrontations. From Buffalo to Los Angeles, tensions have been running high as teams battle for postseason survival. For Greig and the Senators, this incident serves as a tough lesson in emotional control—one that will cost him the first two games of next season.