Toronto, ON (My Sportsbook) - The NHL has suspended Washington Capitals forward Donald Brashear six games for two separate incidents in Game 6 of Sunday's Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with the New York Rangers.

The Caps' enforcer was suspended five games for his hit on the Rangers' Blair Betts midway through the first period. Brashear caught Betts with a shoulder to the chin with the Rangers' pivot having just dished the puck to a teammate at center ice. The hit caught Betts looking in the opposite direction, and he lay on the ice for several minutes before being helped to the locker room by two teammates, visibly woozy.

"Brashear delivered a shoulder hit to an unsuspecting player," said NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell. "It is also my opinion that the hit was delivered late and targeted the head of his opponent, causing significant injury."

Brashear was also hit with a one-game ban for making contact with Rangers forward Colton Orr during pre-game warmups.

Betts was forced to leave the game and did not return. Rangers assistant coach Jim Schoenfeld, who was filling in as head coach Sunday for the suspended John Tortorella, said following the game that Betts' injury was considered serious but no specific update on his condition has yet been given.

There was no penalty levied for the hit although a scuffle ensued that sent both Brashear and Rangers' defenseman Paul Mara off on roughing minors.

Washington won the game 5-3 to force a Game 7 on Tuesday, which Brashear will not be a part of. The suspension will carry over through Washington's next five playoff games should they advance or the beginning of the 2009-10 regular season if New York wins Tuesday.