New video evidence could impact the Duncan Keith suspension.

Regardless of what happens on Friday, we can be sure that Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith will walk away with a hefty suspension, one that is likely to impact the Blackhawks first round playoff series. With that said though, new video evidence may have a mitigating effect on just how bad that suspension is, and frankly it should.

To be clear, Keith's decision to slash Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle was a terrible one, and regardless of what provocation he received you just can't swing your stick at another player's face. However Keith was provoked, and his anger in this scenario in light of the new video angle certainly shines a very different light on the whole incident.

Prior to his actions, Keith himself also was the victim of some stick-work to the face when Coyle raised his stick and appeared to deliver a stiff crosscheck to Keith's face and head. When you add this to the fact that Keith was on the ground immediately after as a result of a blatant trip from Coyle, it's hard not to empathize with Keith's frustration at that moment.

Does Keith deserve a suspension? Yes. Does he deserve a lengthy one? Again the answer is yes, you can not allow players to use their sticks as weapon it's simply too dangerous a precedent to set. But Keith also deserves some empathy, and perhaps even a little leniency when it comes to determining the length of his suspension.

[pub]