Carcillo's suspension reduced to six games

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman reduced the suspension of Rangers forward Dan Carcillo from 10 games to six, the league announced yesterday.

Carcillo was originally suspended for breaking Rule 40.3 -- deliberately applying physical force to an official. Following Carcillo's appeal, Bettman decided that he instead violated Rule 40.4 for applying "physical force to an official for the sole purpose of getting free of such official during or immediately following an altercation."

Since Carcillo has already served three games, he's eligible to return for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final at the Garden next Wednesday.