AP

MONTREAL (AP) — Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo called Max Domi's sucker punch on Aaron Ekblad "gutless" and predicted that the league would look at it.

The NHL did just that on Thursday, suspending Domi for the remainder of the Montreal Canadiens' preseason games.

Domi was given a match penalty for punching Ekblad in the nose in the third period in the Panthers' 5-2 exhibition victory against the Canadiens on Wednesday night.

Ekblad had slashed Domi's stick and the Canadiens forward tried to goad the Panthers defenseman into a fight, though Ekblad tried to skate away.

"Frustrated by Ekblad's unwillingness to fight, Domi drops his stick and glove and delivers a forceful blow to Ekblad's face, causing a cut that required medical attention," the league said in its suspension video.

Ekblad left the game, at the NHL's request, and did not return. He went through tests after the game and cleared concussion protocol.

"You don't do that," Luongo said of the play. "You respect your opponents and if your opponent doesn't want to engage in a fight, there's no reason to drop your glove and punch him square in the face. Bit of a gutless play. You don't do those types of things."

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The bloodied Ekblad dropped to the ice. Domi was given a minor, major and match penalty.

Domi, who was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes in the offseason, had been suspended once previously in his career. He had to sit out a game for instigating fight in the final five minutes of regulation.

Canadiens players saw Wednesday's altercation a little differently.

"The two were arguing with one another," forward Jonathan Drouin said. "I saw a pretty big slash from Ekblad on Max, and Max just took matters into his own hands. It's also Ekblad's fault for not protecting himself."