FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The NHL has suspended Tampa Bay forward Scott Sabourin four games for his actions in the Lightning's preseason finale against the Florida Panthers on Saturday night.

The NHL ruling, handed down Monday, means Sabourin will forfeit $16,145.84 -- or roughly $850 for every second that he played in Saturday's penalty-filled debacle.

It's unclear when Sabourin will serve the suspension, since the Lightning sent him back to Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Monday. Sabourin played in only one NHL game last season.

Sabourin -- who was on the ice for only 19 seconds Saturday -- was given a match penalty for going after Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad just 2:17 into the game. That hit set the tone for a matchup where officials called 65 penalties, issued 13

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