Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid will be sidelined for three games following a cross-check to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland. The incident occurred during a heated exchange in the waning moments of the Canucks' 3-2 victory over the Oilers on Saturday. Entangled with Garland, McDavid rose and delivered a cross-check to the side of Garland's head, resulting in a match penalty for intent to injure and his ejection from the game.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety held a hearing with McDavid on Monday, swiftly announcing the three-game suspension afterward. Coincidentally, Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers also received a three-game suspension for his involvement in the same scrum. Myers cross-checked Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard in the face after the whistle.
This marks McDavid's second suspension in his decade-long NHL career. His previous suspension, a two-game ban, was issued in 2019 for an illegal check to the head. The current suspension will cost McDavid $195,312 in salary. He was also fined $5,000 for elbowing an opponent in 2021.
McDavid's absence will be felt by the Oilers as they face the Washington Capitals, the Canucks in a rematch, and the Buffalo Sabres. He is slated to return next Monday against the Seattle Kraken. The three-time Hart Trophy winner has been having another stellar season, accumulating 65 points (20 goals, 45 assists) in 43 games. The Oilers currently hold a 29-14-3 record, placing them second in the Pacific Division, trailing the Vegas Golden Knights by a single point.
