(Photo credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images)

The NHL suspended Tampa Bay Lightning forward Scott Sabourin for four games Monday for roughing Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad in a penalty-marred preseason game.

Sabourin was assessed a match penalty for his actions early in the first period of the game Saturday, which Florida won 7-0. A combined 312 penalty minutes were handed out -- 182 for the Lightning, 140 for the two-time Stanley Cup champion Panthers.

On his first shift of the game, Sabourin delivered a legal check to Ekblad as the latter was preparing to collect the puck behind Florida's goal line. But before Ekblad could get back to his feet, Sabourin shoved Ekblad in the face, then removed his gloves and sucker punched him in the face -- directly in the view of a nearby official.

The NHL Department of Player Safety determined Sabourin was trying to settle a score.

'After a thorough review of the game video, a telephone hearing with Sabourin and the Lightning and an understanding of previous incidents between these two teams, the Department of Player Safety has concluded that this was an intentional act done by a player for the purpose of retribution and message-sending,' a Player Safety official said in an explanation video.

Sabourin, 33, signed with Tampa Bay in July on a one-year, two-way contract. He was not part of the Lightning team that fell to the rival Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It is Sabourin's first career suspension. He will have to miss the Lightning's first four games of the regular season: Thursday against the Ottawa Senators, Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, Oct. 13 at the Boston Bruins and Oct. 14 at the Washington Capitals. He will be eligible to make his season debut Oct. 17 at the Detroit Red Wings.

Sabourin appeared in one game last season for the San Jose Sharks, spending most of the campaign with their AHL affiliate. In 47 career games for the Ottawa Senators (2019-2020, 2021-22), Toronto Maple Leafs (2020-21) and Sharks (2023-25), he has two goals, six assists and 58 penalty minutes.

--Field Level Media