Who is Blake Lizotte? Meet the LA Kings forward who gave Josh Morrissey 18 stitches

Los Angeles Kings forward Blake Lizotte has been handed a one-game suspension by the NHL for his cross-checking on Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey during Saturday's game. The decision was made by the league's Department of Player Safety after Lizotte had a hearing on Sunday.

As a result, Lizotte will be ineligible to play in the Kings' game against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night.

During the game against the Jets, Lizotte assessed a five-minute major and a match penalty after hitting Morrissey in the face with 5:50 left in the second period. Morrissey required multiple stitches to his chin as a result of the incident.

In a statement after the game, Morrissey said:

"My reaction is it hurts a lot and I needed to get off the ice. It was a careless play. I thought we were going to [fight] and I took a cross-check to the chin. It could have been my teeth, so thankfully not."

25 years old Blake Lizotte has recorded career-high totals in assists (20), points (30), and penalty minutes (54) in 72 games this season. He has matched his personal best of 10 goals, which he set during the 2021-22 season. In his career with the Kings, Lizotte has totaled 87 points (29 goals, 58 assists) in 249 games.

The suspension is a blow to the Kings' playoff hopes, as they are currently fighting for a postseason spot. Lizotte will be eligible to return for their next game, but his absence in Sunday night's game against the Blues could have a great impact on the team's performance.

Blake Lizotte: Undrafted to NHL Debut

Blake Lizotte is the center of the Los Angeles Kings. Born in Lindstrom, Minnesota, Lizotte went undrafted as an 18-year-old and played two seasons for the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and two more for St. Cloud State University.

During his college career, Lizotte was named an NCHC First-Team All-Star in his second season and helped his team win the National Collegiate Hockey Conference regular-season championship twice.

After his sophomore season, Lizotte decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility and signed with the Los Angeles Kings on April 2, 2019. He made his NHL debut just four days later against the Vegas Golden Knights. Lizotte impressed during training camp in the fall of 2019 and made the Kings' roster.

He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, on October 8, 2019, in a game against the Calgary Flames. Lizotte scored his first NHL goal and had his first two-point game against the Montreal Canadiens on November 9, 2019.

Since then, Blake Lizotte has become a regular member of the Kings' lineup, displaying his speed, versatility, and work ethic. In 249 NHL games, he has recorded 29 goals and 58 assists for a total of 87 points. With his talent and potential, Lizotte is expected to continue contributing to the Kings' success in the future.