Gryba to have hearing on Eller hit

The NHL has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for Ottawa Senators defenseman Eric Gryba on Friday for his hit on Lars Eller of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.

With just under 6 1/2 minutes left in the second period of Thursday night's game, Gryba caught Eller with a crunching hit at the blue line as the Canadiens forward was receiving a pass from defenseman Raphael Diaz. Eller was taken off the ice on a stretcher after landing face-first following the hit. He was expected to spend the night at the hospital with head and facial injuries, according to the Canadiens.

The following grounds for potential supplemental discipline are being considered: Illegal check to the head. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to these infractions accordingly upon further review.

Gryba was assessed a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct on the play. Montreal scored once during the long power play, but Ottawa rallied with three goals in the third period for a 4-2 victory.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Friday night in Montreal.