Thrashers' Armstrong gets two-game suspension

The Thrashers will also likely be without defenseman Pavel Kubina and forward Evgeny Artyukhin with upper-body injuries. Thrashers coach John Anderson labeled both players questionable following Friday’s practice. Kubina missed Thursday’s game against the Capitals.

With four games remaining, the Thrashers are two points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed,” Armstrong told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I feel terrible about it, the timing of it, because of our position as a team and also personally for myself."

Armstrong was attempting an open-ice hit on Perreault when he raised his arm during the collision.

“It’s one thing that my dad always told me when I learned how to hit, you never reach for a guy like that,” Armstrong said. “I just got caught where he was dodging out of the way and I reached for him and I made a mistake. The good thing is there was no injury on the play.

“I reached across with my right arm. I just tried to get a piece of him. It happened the way it happened. By no means did I mean to hit him high. I’ve always been a guy that, with my hits, my arms are down. I hit with my shoulder. I keep my arms in and try to hit the way I’m supposed to. This one time, I got caught in a head-to-head going at him and he gave me a couple moves and I just tried to get a piece of him and I paid the price.”

Armstrong made his NHL debut with the Penguins and spent the first two and a half seasons in Pittsburgh before being traded to the Thrashers. The game will also be the Thrashers' last in Mellon Arena as the Penguins move to a new arena next season.

Evander Kane will take Armstrong’s place after missing 15 games with a fractured left foot. He will skate on the left wing on a line with Rich Peverley and Bryan Little.

Under the terms of the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Armstrong will forfeit $24,870.47 in salary. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assist Fund.

A hearing was held by conference call Friday morning and Armstrong was informed of the suspension after the team's workout.

“I told them what happened and the way I felt,” Armstrong said.

Early in the first period of Thursday’s 2-1 Capitals win, Washington’s John Erskine received a roughing penalty for a closed-fist shot to Armstrong’s face.

“I think it was much the same play,” Armstrong said. “It was my hand and not my forearm that hit [Perreault]. I gave a little sidestep as [Erskine] came in to finish me and he caught me in the face. He got called for roughing and I got two games on more of a body check. It is what it is. I’m moving forward. I’m disappointed for a lot of different reasons.”

The Thrashers, who are carrying 15 forwards, will have to use that depth if they are to remain in the playoff race.

“He’s been a big part of the team. He does his job very well,” forward Jim Slater said. “That’s why we have 15 forwards on this team -- and they are good forwards -- to step right in. You never plan for this to happen, but that’s why you have to stay ready.”

The Thrashers could have been in a four-way tie for the final three playoff spots with a win against the Capitals. Instead they still need to make up two points while closing the regular season at the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins, home against the Devils, at the Capitals and at home against the Penguins next Saturday.

“The hard thing is our schedule,” Anderson said. “We have not had more than one day off since the [Olympic] break. That’s also playing two nights in a row, three in four nights. With that alone and add the mental fatigue of trying to win every game because every point is precious, it wears you down in some games. The pressure and the schedule have been really hard.”