Ottawa Senators forward Hayden Hodgson has been suspended for two games, without pay, for boarding Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke during Thursday's matchup. After conducting a disciplinary hearing with Hodgson, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced its ruling on Friday.

The incident occurred during the second period of Ottawa's game against Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena. Hodgson approached Clarke at approximately 21 miles per hour, according to the game broadcast. The Kings defenseman was retrieving the puck near his own net when Hodgson crashed into him, sending Clarke headfirst into the boards. The 30-year-old received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct, ending his involvement in the contest.

Clarke subsequently left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return. However, he participated in the team's practice session Friday.

The suspension comes with a financial penalty for Hodgson. Under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, he will surrender $8,762.88 in salary, with the money directed toward the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

This is not the first time Hodgson has faced disciplinary action for boarding. In October 2025, the league fined him $2,018.23, the maximum permitted under the collective bargaining agreement, after checking Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook during a preseason game. He also received a game misconduct for that incident.

Hodgson has appeared in just 24 NHL games across five seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Senators, recording one goal and three points. He has accumulated 51 penalty minutes at the NHL level, while his disciplinary record also includes 20 games worth of suspensions in the American Hockey League over the past five seasons for elbowing and other offenses.

Article Continues Below

As a result of his latest suspension, Hodgson will miss Ottawa's road games against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday and the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. He is eligible to return Wednesday versus the Buffalo Sabres.

Meanwhile, the Senators have recalled forwards Xavier Bourgault and Philip Tomasino from their AHL affiliate, Belleville.