Philadelphia Flyers center Zac Rinaldo was suspended eight games by the NHL for boarding and charging Penguins defenseman Kris Letang.

The hit took place at 15:36 of the first period in a 3-2 home win by the Flyers last Tuesday.

Letang left that game following the hit because of a head injury and missed a 3-2 loss at home to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Earlier today, following his team's practice at Consol Energy Center, Letang said he passed all concussion testing and was optimistic he will play in the Penguins' next game at home Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets.

Rinaldo, suspended as recently as April 7, is considered a repeat offender by the terms of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Player Association. He will forfeit $73,170.72 in salary.

Seth Rorabaugh: srorabaugh@post-gazette.com and Twitter @emptynetters.

First Published: January 27, 2015, 12:48 a.m.