NEW YORK (AP) — Watson’s suspension for domestic abuse has been reduced from 27 to 18 games by an
arbitrator.The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association announced arbitrator Shyam
Das’ decision Thursday.Commissioner Gary Bettman handed down the suspension last
month. Watson pleaded no contest in July to a charge of domestic assault
stemming from an incident in June
Jordan Staal Jersey , and the NHL found Watson engaged in unacceptable off-ice conduct.The Predators weren’t involved in Watson’s appeal but have
supported the forward . Watson has been able to use the team’s resources and
practice with Nashville during his suspension, and he was on the ice Tuesday
night in full uniform before the Predators’ home opener as the team hung banners
for winning the Central Division and Presidents’ Trophy last season.“We are
aware of its reduction to 18 games,” the Predators said in a statement. “As
previously stated, our focus has and will continue to be the health and
well-being of Austin and his family.”Now Watson is eligible rejoin the Predators
on Nov. 15 when they wrap up a five-game road trip Arizona. If the 27-game ban
had stood, he would have been out until Dec. 3.The NHL does not have a written
domestic abuse policy and has chosen to judge each incident separately. Slava
Voynov is currently still suspended indefinitely for a 2014 incident.Watson was
charged in an incident June 16 with his girlfriend after a witness flagged down
a police officer to a gas station in Franklin, Tennessee. Watson told police he
and his girlfriend were arguing and that he pushed her. Officers said they found
red marks on her chest, and she said Watson caused them. Watson pleaded no
contest to domestic assault on July 24.As part of that plea
Womens Justin Faulk Jersey , Watson can have the misdemeanor charge dismissed by fulfilling terms of the diversion program. Watson must serve three
months of probation and complete both an in-patient treatment program and a
batterer’s intervention program.The 18th pick overall in 2010, Watson scored a
career-high 14 goals with five assists in 76 games last season. He had five
goals and three assists in 13 playoff games. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Buffalo Sabres
coach Phil Housley had to shake things up, shuffling his lines against the Los
Angeles Kings an effort to revive an offense that was held to one goal in three
of the past four games.The moves paid off, especially the new first line of Jeff
Skinner, Jason Pominville and Jack Eichel.Skinner scored three goals for his
fifth career hat trick and the Sabres’ reconfigured top line keyed a 5-1 win
over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.Pominville had a goal and two assists for
his 700th career point, and Eichel added three assists as he centered Skinner
and Pominville for the first time.“I think that’s the spark we’ve been looking
for,” said Zach Bogosian
Minnesota Wild T-Shirts Womens , who also scored.Linus Ullmark made 19 saves for Buffalo.Drew Doughty had a goal and Jonathan Quick made 21 saves for the Kings,
who lost their fourth straight game. Quick has allowed 10 goals on 54 shots in
two starts since returning from a lower-body injury.Skinner put the Sabres ahead
2-0 at 3:31 of the second period and made it 3-0 with 4:08 left in the middle
period. Pominville got his milestone point with a secondary assist on Skinner’s
second goal.Pominville is the third member of the 2001 draft class to reach the
700-point mark, joining Ilya Kovalchuk and Jason Spezza.“A guy that plugs away
every day, as professional as he is, he’s a good example for the younger players
and seeing him get rewarded with 700, that’s awesome for him,” Bogosian
said.Bogosian scored with 15 seconds left in the second
Chris Terry Jersey Womens , the eighth straight goal allowed by the Kings in 56:40 of game time after giving up four goals in the third period of a 7-2
loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday.Doughty got the Kings on the
scoreboard with 7:44 left in the third. It was Los Angeles’ third power-play
goal in two games after starting the season 0 for 22, but little else has gone
right for them recently.Outscored 21-5 during their current losing streak, the
Kings held a closed-door meeting that lasted nearly 20 minutes after their
latest defeat.Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin said the team did not have “enough
passion and fire to win games right now.“We’ve accepted being okay. It’s not
okay. It’s not working. It’s going to be a long year, guys will be moved if this
continues,” Muzzin said.The Sabres were more than happy to take advantage of the
Kings’ struggles, with Skinner completing his first hat trick since Dec. 15,
2015
Nick Foligno Jersey , with an empty-netter with 25 seconds remaining.The Sabres took a 1-0 lead at 10:24 of the first. Pominville scored on the rebound
of a shot by Eichel. The goal withstood a review after the Kings challenged for
interference as Pominville’s stick and skate made contact with Quick’s right leg
as the goalie was sprawled on the ice.“It was great that it worked out,” Housley
said of his new first line, “but I think if you looked throughout all the lines
they all contributed in one way or another.”NOTES: The Sabres had nine players
with a point and 13 players with a plus-1 rating or better. . Sabres D Jake
McCabe had an assist to extend his point streak to three games. … Kings LW Alex
Iafallo had an assist for the third straight game, a new career-high.UP
NEXTSabres: Wrap up their five-game road trip at Anaheim on Sunday.Kings: Open a
two-game road trip at Dallas on Tuesday.
