Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid has been suspended three games for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland in the head.
The incident occurred late in the Canucks’ 3-2 win over the Oilers on Saturday, when McDavid and Garland became entangled in a scrum. After a few seconds, McDavid got up and cross-checked Garland in the side of his head with his stick, earning a match penalty for intent to injure and being thrown out of the game.
McDavid had a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Monday, and his three-game suspension was announced shortly after. Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers was also suspended three games for crosschecking Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard in the face during the same scrum.
This is McDavid’s second career suspension, after he was suspended for two games in 2019 for an illegal check to the head. The suspension will cost him $195,312 in salary over the next three games and will keep him out of the Oilers’ next three games, including a matchup against the Washington Capitals, a rematch against the Canucks, and a game against the Buffalo Sabres.
McDavid is eligible to return to the lineup next Monday when the Oilers face the Seattle Kraken. He has been sensation this season, with 65 points in 43 games, and has been instrumental in the Oilers’ 29-14-3 record, which has them second in the Pacific Division.
