DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg will not be suspended by the NHL for the push to the back that injured Columbus defenseman Nikita Nikitin, general manager Ken Holland said on Sunday.

Zetterberg received a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct at 3:31 of the third period in Detroit's 3-2 shootout win over the Blue Jackets.

Nikitin crashed into the boards and left the game and, according to the Columbus Dispatch, injured his knee and will miss at least two games. But it does not appear to be a significant injury.



Zetterberg said after the game: "The puck went down to the corner and I chased down their defenseman. I had my hand on his back. I don't think I pushed him hard. He went down. It looked bad, it looks really bad, so I can't blame the referee for giving me five minutes."

But NHL vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan felt there was no intent to injure.