May Pays The Price For Punches

Brad May of the Buffalo Sabres will be sidelined at least a month after breaking his right hand when he punched Pittsburgh’s Ulf Samuelsson in the face.

Sabres coach John Muckler confirmed Monday the forward will be out four to six weeks after doctors in Buffalo determined he broke his fifth metacarpal bone, which is on the back of the hand. May left the team before it traveled to Florida for a game tonight against the Panthers.

May was injured in the third period of the Sabres’ 6-2 loss to the Penguins on Saturday. May said the punch was thrown in retaliation to Samuelsson spearing him in the groin.

May was ejected and penalized for instigating. Samuelsson, who left the game after the incident, was not penalized.

Leafs, Lightning make deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired right-winger Rich Sutter from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday in exchange for future considerations.

Sutter is a member of one of hockey’s most famous families. Brothers Brian, Brent, Duane, Darryl and Ron all played in the NHL at one time. Ron and Rich are twins.

Rich Sutter has no points this year. He started the season with Chicago and was traded Feb. 22 to the Lightning in a multiplayer deal.

Sutter has 149 goals and 163 assists in 856 NHL games. He started his career in 1982 with Pittsburgh, and has also played in Philadelphia, Vancouver and St. Louis.