Connor McDavid has been suspended three games for cross-checking Conor Garland in the head on Saturday night. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced their ruling Monday evening.
McDavid had a phone hearing with the league, meaning he could only be suspended up to five games for the infraction.
Edmonton’s Connor McDavid has been suspended for three games for cross-checking Vancouver’s Conor Garland. https://t.co/hxR9X8Z2Ml
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 20, 2025
Player Safety noted that McDavid’s prior suspension, two games in 2019 for an illegal check to the head on New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy, was considered when making a determination for his supplemental discipline. McDavid was assessed a match penalty on the ice for the cross-check which initiated an automatic review by the league.
“Having just been involved physically with Garland, McDavid retaliates aggressively and intentionally, escalating the altercation by raising his stick significantly and creating this contact – a high cross-check that makes direct contact with an opponent’s head with sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline,” the league explained.
McDavid will miss games against the Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks, and Buffalo Sabres. He will first be eligible to return against the Seattle Kraken on January 27. He’ll lose $195,312.51 in pay which will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Tyler Myers was ejected from the same game after cross-checking Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard in the face. He was also suspended three games for his actions.
Here’s the press release from the NHL:
McDavid of Oilers suspended 3 games for cross-checking
Center received match penalty for play against Canucks forward Garland on Saturday
NEW YORK (Jan. 20, 2025) — Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid has been suspended for three games, without pay, for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland during NHL Game No. 735 in Vancouver on Saturday, Jan. 18, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 19:55 of the third period. McDavid was assessed a match penalty.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, McDavid will forfeit $195,312.51. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
