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Joffrey Lupul’s hit to head of Victor Hedman: suspendable offense? (VIDEO)

Joffrey Lupul returned to action on Saturday night after missing almost two months due to a broken arm. He scored twice in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets and continued his offensive return with a goal 6:56 into the first period of the Maple Leafs' game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.

What might stall his return to goal scoring is some time in the press box after the hit he laid on Victor Hedman early in the third period:

This all adds up to a suspension for Lupul. The hit is a bit late; Hedman's head is the principle point of contact; and the Lightning defenseman doesn't make any late or sudden movements just before impact. Also potentially playing a factor here that it appears Lupul leaves his skates to make the hit and that they don't leave the ice as part of a follow through.

(UPDATE: According to Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos, Lupul will have a phone hearing at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday.)

Fortunately for the Lightning Hedman returned later in the period. Unfortunately for them, they fell to the Maple Leafs 4-2 and lost goaltender Anders Lindback to a lower-body injury for which, according to the team, he is day-to-day.

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

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