As expected, the Penguins are going to be shorthanded as they try to stay alive against the Flyers in Game 4 of the cross-state rivals’ opening round NHL Playoffs series.
NHL suspended Pittsburgh forward (and former Flyer) Arron Asham for four games -- the remainder the series if the Pens win three-straight -- and gave a one-game ban to Penguins 40-goal scorer James Neal on Tuesday night for separate infractions.
Asham was punished after being given a match penalty for attempting to injure Philadelphia forward Brayden Schenn with a cross-check on Sunday in the first period of Pittsburgh's loss that put the Penguins in a 3-0 series hole.
If the series ends before Game 7, Asham will have to serve the remainder of the suspension next season.
Neal will miss Game 4 on Wednesday night for charging Flyers forward Claude Giroux in the third period on Sunday. Neal was given a minor penalty for charging and was ejected.
The Penguins will also be without forward Craig Adams, who received an automatic one-game suspension from the NHL on Monday for instigating a fight late in Game 3. Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma was fined $10,000 for the same fight.
Adams went after Flyers forward Scott Hartnell late in the third period while Hartnell was involved in an altercation with Penguins star Sidney Crosby. Adams intervened, yanked Hartnell's hair, and the two started fighting.
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Adams was assessed a minor penalty for instigating, a major penalty for fighting and was ejected.
