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NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL is criticizing an arbitrator’s decision to reduce the suspension of Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson http://www.officialpredators.com/authentic-adidas-ryan-hartman-jersey , who pleaded no contest in July to a domestic assault charge. Watson received a 27-game suspension from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman last month. The NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced Thursday that arbitrator Shyam Das had reduced it to 18 games .The NHL issued a statement Friday saying that “we are disappointed with the Arbitrator’s decision.”“We firmly believe that the right of appeal to an arbitrator of League discipline was never intended to substitute the arbitrator’s judgment for that of the Commissioner, particularly on matters of important League policy and the articulation of acceptable standards of conduct for individuals involved in the National Hockey League,” the NHL said in its statement.The NHL added that “we will not hesitate to adhere to and enforce — through firm discipline as necessary — the standards of personal conduct we feel are appropriate for our league.”The NHL doesn’t have a written domestic violence policy and takes each situation on a case by case basis.The NHLPA also released a statement Friday, saying: “The NHLPA takes domestic violence seriously and continues to work together with the NHL to ensure that players are educated on this important societal issue. “As part of those efforts, the NHL/NHLPA conduct domestic violence awareness training at our Rookie Orientation Program and during the season for all NHL players.“The CBA provides players with the right to appeal discipline imposed by the NHL for off-ice conduct to an impartial arbitrator. This essential right is intended to encourage the fair and consistent application of discipline. The arbitrator’s independence helps ensure that the process and decision are fair. That is a principle to which we should always strive to adhere, even in cases where the subject matter is as difficult as domestic violence.” Watson was arrested June 16 after a witness flagged down a police officer to a gas station in Franklin, Tennessee. Watson told police he and his girlfriend were arguing and that he pushed her. Officers said they found red marks on her chest, and she said Watson caused them. Watson pleaded no contest to domestic assault on July 24. He can have the misdemeanor charge dismissed by fulfilling terms of his judicial diversion program. Watson must serve three months of probation and complete both an in-patient treatment program and a batterer’s intervention program.Watson is a former first-round draft pick who scored a career-high 14 goals and had five assists in 76 games during the 2017-18 regular season. He had five goals and three assists in 13 playoff games.The 26-year-old Watson has 23 goals and 24 assists in 216 career regular-season games, all with the Predators. LAS VEGAS (AP) Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty was suspended for one game Thursday for an illegal check to the head of Vegas Golden Knights forward William Carrier during Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.”I thought it was a bad hit Ryan Johansen Jersey , but it’s not for me to decide,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said after Vegas’ 1-0 victory Wednesday night. ”The referee didn’t think it was a penalty but I’m sure people will look at that hit and make a decision on it.”Doughty will miss Game 2 on Friday night in Las Vegas. He delivered the blow at 9:58 of the third period, sending Carrier to the locker room for the remainder of the game.”I thought you had two teams that played a real good hard, honest game,” Los Angeles coach John Stevens said following his team’s practice on Thursday. ”That was my interpretation. I think both teams upped their intensity and both teams understand the importance of the battle on the puck and there’s usually some kind of physical confrontation that comes from that.”Golden Knights enforcer Ryan Reaves, who was a healthy scratch for Game 1, didn’t agree with the hit.”Obviously, it’s a hit to the head, it was pretty blatant Viktor Arvidsson Jersey ,” Reaves said. ”I don’t know if the ref maybe had a bad angle on it, but I’m sure the league will deal with it the way they need to. You never need to hit a guy in the jaw. … If I’m in that game I’d probably try and go do something about it. Maybe I can calm that situation down.”Vegas wing James Neal, who played with defending Western Conference champion Nashville last season, said the Golden Knights knew things could get heated against the Kings.”When you play teams like L.A., a heavy team, it’s going to be a physical game,” Neal said. ”We knew what to expect, especially being Game 1 of the playoffs. Everything’s ramped up a little bit extra, guys are out there going a little quicker Brian Gibbons Jersey , it was definitely physical.”And while the Kings outhit Vegas, 68-59, Stevens scoffed at the notion Game 1 was an overly physical game.”I think the teams played hard, I’m not sure where that number comes from, but I don’t think anybody would be playing tomorrow if those numbers were accurate,” Stevens said. ”I don’t want to sound disrespectful when I say this, but sometimes I don’t even know where they’re situated when they are marking those stats. There’s such a variety in the way those are gauged building to building that we usually go and look at our own stats.”Said Kings wing Dustin Brown: ”It was a physical game, (but) I don’t think there was nearly as many hits as the stats credited. Some buildings you can kill a guy and not get credit for a hit.”