NHL's Latest Cheapshot: James Wisniewski Headhunts Brent Seabrook

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UPDATE: Wisniewski has been suspended for eight games.)

On the eve of a potential grudge match between Pittsburgh and Boston, the National Hockey League was provided another senseless illustration of headhunting that momentarily left a standout player senseless.

Anaheim's James Wisniewski crushed Chicago's Brent Seabrook into the end glass at 2:22 of the teams' game on Wednesday night in Anaheim. As Wisniewski left his feet and drove Seabrook's head into the glass with his arms, the Blackhawks and Team Canada defenseman looked concussed as his legs gave out and he crumbled to the ice. Seabrook later skated on his own to the Chicago bench but did not return to the game. A team spokesman called it an "upper body injury."

Wisniewski's hit appeared to be retribution for a check Seabrook leveled Anaheim forward Corey Perry with just a few seconds earlier. Seabrook, however, did not have the puck and was in a vulnerable position. The NHL will review the play and a suspension for Wisniewski is very possible.

Wisniewski was given two minutes for charging. Seabrook's Blackhawks and Team Canada defense partner Duncan Keith attempted to come to his rescue and had a brief fight with Wisniewski.

On Thursday, NHL chief disciplinarian Colin Campbell and officiating supervisor Terry Gregson are attending the Penguins' game in Boston. The teams are meeting for the first time since Pittsburgh forward Matt Cooke knocked out Boston center Marc Savard with a blindside hit to the head. Savard is out with a concussion and the league did not suspend Cooke.