Brent Seabrook receives three-game suspension for hit on David Backes in Game 2

The defending NHL champions are in big trouble. Down 2-0 in the first round against St. Louis, the Blackhawks must now soldier on without defenseman Brent Seabrook while he is suspended for the next three games.

Seabrook received the suspension for an illegal check to the head of Blues forward and captain David Backes in the third period of Game 2. The incident occurred while the Blues were on the power play. As Backes turned out of the corner with the puck, Seabrook laid a nasty hit on him while he wasn't looking.

Backes tried to get up and face his attacker, but struggled to stay on his feet and was clearly dazed by the hit. According to video of the play, an unknown Blackhawks player taunted him in his daze. He was helped to the locker room for treatment and didn't return to the game.

Seabrook was assessed a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit. It's the first suspension of his career.