The suspension is Kerfoot's first in his 179-game NHL career.
The 25-year-old was playing his former team when the infraction occurred after being traded from Colorado to Toronto in July.
"First and foremost, I think I'm disappointed in myself," Kerfoot said Monday, according to TSN. "It was obviously a bad play. I know Johnson well and I just hope he's alright, I hope that he doesn't miss any time or anything like that. I feel terrible.
“He kind of unfortunately lost possession right as I was pushing him and then he stumbles and I pushed him into the boards. It's no excuse. It was unfortunate timing but it was also a bad play by me and I just hope he's alright.”
Kerfoot has tallied five goals and eight points in 22 games during his first season with the Maple Leafs.
The 5-foot-10 pivot will be eligible to return in the latter contest of a home-and-home series with the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Every Monday, theScore offers a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This week's edition focuses on Week 8. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Trade for Tyson Barrie
Team: Maple Leafs Position: D Ownership: 83%
Nearly every player on the Maple Leafs should see a bump in their fantasy value with Sheldon Keefe replacing Mike Babcock behind the bench, but nobody will seemingly benefit more than Barrie.
Toronto's prized offseason acquisition struggled under the former bench boss, but with Keefe - a young, innovative coach encouraging skill and creativity - Barrie should flourish. He has two goals and an assist in two games under Keefe and has been promoted to the top power-play unit.
It may be tough to acquire Barrie if his owner is a Leafs fan, but otherwise, he shouldn't be too difficult to pry away.
Buy low on Johnny Gaudreau
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Team: Flames Position: LW Ownership: 99%
It's been a rough go for the Flames of late, and that includes Gaudreau. "Johnny Hockey" has just a pair of assists in his last seven games and is on pace for his lowest point total ever.
However, things could begin to turn around soon. Gaudreau's 7.2 shooting percentage is less than half of his 14.7% mark from last year, and it's well below his career clip of 12.8% entering the season.
While he's been snakebitten in the goal column, Gaudreau's dynamic playmaking skills have still been on display this season; he's tied for fourth in the league in slot pass completions, according to The Point Hockey.
Part of Gaudreau's struggles can be attributed to Sean Monahan's inability to finish this season after back-to-back 30-goal campaigns. Monahan's expected goals rate and high-danger scoring chance rate fall in line with his career averages, so he should start burying his chances in no time.
Gaudreau has been the most frequently traded player Sunday and Monday in Yahoo leagues, so he's certainly up for grabs, but Monahan also makes for an intriguing buy-low candidate. It's only a matter of time before Calgary's dynamic duo starts filling the net.
Add Anthony Beauvillier
Team: Islanders Position: C/LW Ownership: 23%
It's quite remarkable Beauvillier is still owned in less than a quarter of leagues after potting six goals and adding two helpers in his last five games. The former first-round pick seems to be really coming into his own in his fourth season. He's getting the chance to shine as well, logging over three minutes more per game than he did a year ago.
Beauvillier's linemates Brock Nelson (50%) and Derick Brassard (29%) are worth adding too, but the 22-year-old clearly has the most upside of the three.
Buy low on Devan Dubnyk
Norm Hall / National Hockey League / Getty
Team: Wild Position: G Ownership: 52%
Dubnyk has missed the last three games due to a personal matter, but he's expected to return on Thursday. His overall numbers are ugly (3.35 goals-against average, .893 save percentage) but he had a few strong showings leading up to his absence.
The Wild are the best team in the league when it comes to suppressing high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes. When Dubnyk returns, he'll get a prime opportunity to shine, and he can probably be had for pennies on the dollar.
If you're seeking immediate help in goal early this week, Minnesota's backup Alex Stalock (10%) is a prime streaming option.
The former No. 1 overall pick got off to a sluggish start this season after inking a big contract extension, but he's picked up four points in as many games and could be in for a larger outburst this week.
This is the fifth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we identify each team's most valuable player at the quarter mark of the season.
1. New York Islanders (16-3-2)
Previous rank: 4
Thomas Greiss is out to prove that his success in 2018-19 was no fluke. The German netminder has been lights out for the Islanders once again this season, posting a 9-1-0 record with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage.
2. Washington Capitals (16-4-5)
John Carlson has his eye on the Norris Trophy this season, and it's safe to say he has a pretty good chance thanks to eight goals and 28 assists through 25 games.
Previous rank: 1
3. Boston Bruins (15-3-5)
Previous rank: 3
David Pastrnak's all-world scoring has been mesmerizing, but it's hard to deny Brad Marchand the title of most valuable Bruins player. The veteran forward leads the team in points, even-strength goals, and game-winning goals. He also ranks first among Boston forwards in ice time and is called upon in all situations.
4. Dallas Stars (14-8-2)
Glenn James / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 16
Sophomore blue-liner Miro Heiskanen has been a key piece of the Stars' recent turnaround, and he's only getting better. The 20-year-old ranks second on Dallas with 17 points and logs almost 25 minutes per night.
5. St. Louis Blues (14-5-5)
Previous rank: 2
Several forwards have stepped up in the wake of Vladimir Tarasenko's injury, but Alex Pietrangelo has been the Blues' most important player. The 29-year-old captain is on pace for a career-best 64 points and has logged a team-high 24:04 of ice time per game.
6. Edmonton Oilers (16-7-3)
Previous rank: 6
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are the top two scorers in the NHL by a considerable margin, so we have to hand out co-MVP honors to the Oilers' unstoppable duo.
7. Arizona Coyotes (14-8-3)
Previous rank: 18
Darcy Kuemper has emerged as one of the game's best netminders this season following a breakout campaign in 2018-19. The 6-foot-5 puck-stopper boasts a league-best 1.98 goals-against average and his elite play has helped take a young Coyotes squad to the next level.
8. Winnipeg Jets (14-9-1)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 22
Connor Hellebuyck has managed an incredible turnaround so far this year, giving the Jets a real chance to win every night with a .928 save percentage in 19 starts.
9. Colorado Avalanche (13-8-2)
Previous rank: 5
With points in 19 of 23 contests, including a 13-game streak to start the campaign, Nathan MacKinnon has been the pulse of an Avalanche team that keeps on rolling despite the absences of Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen.
10. Carolina Hurricanes (15-8-1)
Previous rank: 20
Dougie Hamilton has been a force for the Hurricanes, leading all NHL defensemen with 10 goals to go with 15 assists in 24 games. The 26-year-old has also paced all Carolina skaters in ice time, and the team has posted a sterling 56.87% expected goals rate with Hamilton on the ice at five-on-five.
11. San Jose Sharks (12-11-1)
Previous rank: 23
Logan Couture has been dynamite in his first season as captain, leading the Sharks back into the playoff picture after a dreadful month of October. The 30-year-old forward has tallied a team-best 24 points, including 14 in November as the Sharks have won eight of 11 contests in the month.
12. Florida Panthers (12-7-5)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 19
Both Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau have been fantastic for the Panthers this year, but the hulking pivot narrowly gets the nod here. Barkov drives the bus for Florida's dominant top line - he's put up 29 points, logged over 20 minutes per night, and won 54% of his draws.
13. Pittsburgh Penguins (12-7-4)
Previous rank: 9
The Penguins rode Sidney Crosby's point-per-game production to a 10-6-1 record while missing several key pieces. With Crosby out of the lineup, however, Pittsburgh has won just two of six contests and has no victories away from home.
14. Montreal Canadiens (11-7-5)
Previous rank: 8
It's no coincidence that the Canadiens are in contention for a playoff spot with Shea Weber healthy. The veteran rearguard ranks second on the Habs with 18 points and still plays an incredibly sturdy game on the back end at 34 years old.
15. Tampa Bay Lightning (11-7-2)
Previous rank: 13
Thank goodness Nikita Kucherov's recent injury wasn't serious, because the reigning MVP is up to his usual ways, leading the Lightning with 20 points through 19 appearances.
16. Vancouver Canucks (12-8-4)
Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 14
Elias Pettersson is playing like a league MVP candidate, so it's a no-brainer that he's been the most valuable Canuck. Last year's Calder Trophy winner sits 11th in NHL scoring with 29 points through 24 games.
17. Philadelphia Flyers (11-7-5)
Previous rank: 11
After being rewarded with a six-year, $33-million contract in September, Travis Konecny has not disappointed. The Ontario native leads the Flyers with 23 points in as many games, and he's kept the club afloat despite slow starts from some of his typically productive teammates.
18. Toronto Maple Leafs (11-10-4)
Previous rank: 12
Auston Matthews was already the Maple Leafs' MVP front-runner before Mike Babcock was fired, but Toronto's superstar looks reinvigorated under his new coach. Matthews has posted three points in two games with Sheldon Keefe at the helm, putting himself on pace for 52 goals and 98 points.
19. Ottawa Senators (11-11-1)
Previous rank: 24
Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been a pleasant story for a Senators team that had low expectations for this season. Pageau has already surpassed his 2018-19 point total by seven in 16 fewer games, and he also leads Ottawa in both goals and points.
20. Vegas Golden Knights (11-10-4)
Zak Krill / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 15
Mark Stone leads all Golden Knights forwards in ice time and has paced the club with 10 goals. He's one of the best two-way forwards in hockey, and his first full year in Sin City has been impressive, to say the least.
21. Chicago Blackhawks (9-9-5)
Previous rank: 28
The Blackhawks will remain competitive as long as Patrick Kane is in town. The 2016 Hart Trophy winner is off to another all-world campaign with 30 points in 23 outings. Consistent as always, Kane is riding a 12-game point streak, amassing 21 in that span.
22. Nashville Predators (10-9-3)
Previous rank: 7
Roman Josi has more than proved he's worth the big-ticket extension he signed earlier this season. The Norris Trophy contender leads the Predators with 22 points in 22 games.
23. New York Rangers (10-9-2)
Previous rank: 25
The Rangers paid Artemi Panarin to play like an MVP candidate, and, so far, so good. The Russian marksman has recorded a team-best 12 goals and 27 points through his first 21 contests in the Big Apple.
24. Minnesota Wild (9-11-3)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 27
The ageless Eric Staal continues to produce at 35 years old. He leads the struggling Wild with 17 points thus far.
25. Columbus Blue Jackets (9-9-4)
Previous rank: 26
Pierre-Luc Dubois has done his best to pick up the slack after the Blue Jackets lost several key offensive pieces to free agency in the offseason. His 10 goals and 17 points are both team highs, as the 21-year-old continues to develop in his third NHL season.
26. Calgary Flames (11-12-3)
Previous rank: 10
Calgary is tumbling down the standings, but Matthew Tkachuk is developing into the team's heart and soul. Tkachuk has struggled to produce during the Flames' offensive drought, but he still leads the club with 20 points.
27. Buffalo Sabres (11-9-3)
Previous rank: 21
Where would Buffalo be without Jack Eichel? The Sabres captain is on pace to shatter career bests in both goals and points, and he's been the club's heartbeat through thick and thin.
28. Los Angeles Kings (9-13-1)
Juan Ocampo / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 30
Anze Kopitar has been the Kings' best player for years, which doesn't appear set to change anytime soon. Los Angeles ranks 28th in goals scored this season, but Kopitar has maintained a point-per-game pace through 23 contests.
29. Anaheim Ducks (10-11-3)
Previous rank: 17
His play has wavered somewhat in recent games, but a locked-in John Gibson gives the Ducks a chance to win every single night against any opponent.
30. New Jersey Devils (8-10-4)
Previous rank: 29
A tumultuous start for the Devils hasn't slowed down leading scorer Taylor Hall, who's up to 20 points in 22 games. Unfortunately, for New Jersey, its MVP will be a free agent in the offseason, and the club isn't doing a great job of convincing him to stick around.
31. Detroit Red Wings (7-16-3)
Previous rank: 31
Anthony Mantha has rediscovered the touch that made him one of the deadliest scorers in the history of junior hockey. The 6-foot-5 forward has potted 12 tallies in 26 games this season, putting him on pace for a career-best 38-goal campaign.
Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will miss Sunday's game versus the Arizona Coyotes and at least one more after that as he deals with a hand injury, the team announced.
The 26-year-old played nearly 19 minutes Saturday during Edmonton's win over the Vegas Golden Knights, so it's unknown when he suffered the injury.
Bortuzzo was assessed a two-minute minor for the play, which occurred in the first period. Arvidsson exited the game with a lower-body injury and has since been ruled out of action for four-to-six weeks.
Viktor Arvidsson injured after taking two nasty cross-checks from Robert Bortuzzo pic.twitter.com/v8jVySeoab
This marks Bortuzzo's third suspension in the NHL. The 30-year-old was booked for two games in 2014 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins for a high hit on Jaromir Jagr before missing two preseason contests and one regular-season game in 2018 for an elbow on Michal Kempny.
Bortuzzo has appeared in 11 games for the Blues this season, notching one assist while averaging 12:25 of ice time per contest.
Arvidsson has registered six goals and nine assists in 22 games this year for the Predators.
Arvidsson played one more shift after the incident before exiting the game.
Bortuzzo received a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking on the play and was scheduled for a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Sunday.
Viktor Arvidsson injured after taking two nasty cross-checks from Robert Bortuzzo pic.twitter.com/v8jVySeoab
