Oilers’ Connor McDavid Suspended 3 Games by NHL After Cross-Checking Canucks’ Garland

VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 18: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers is checked by Conor Garland #8 of the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of their NHL game at Rogers Arena on January 18, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)

Derek Cain/Getty Images

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Monday that Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid has been suspended three games for his cross-check on Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland during Saturday’s matchup between the teams

Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers was given a matching three-game suspension for his cross-check on Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard in the aftermath of McDavid’s hit. Both players were penalized at the time.

McDavid was clearly frustrated after Garland held him for an extended duration in the waning moments of Saturday’s game, a 3-2 win for the Canucks.

“There was a lot of frustration. [McDavid] plays through a lot,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Monday after the suspension was announced. “Ironically, he doesn’t draw very many penalties. Our team doesn’t draw that many penalties for that matter, which is kind of ironic because we usually have the puck and the other team’s defending more.”

“He’s under the microscope every time he’s on the ice because he’s dangerous,” he continued. “[Opponents] don’t give him room, give him another shot, hold him a little bit, tug on his jersey, get in his way. All those little things that maybe could be called penalties, but maybe not. If you called every single one, you’re changing the game. It’s a fine line. But I definitely believe that he puts up [with] more than the average player.”

Garland probably should have been called for holding on the play in question. Regardless, the Oilers will now be without the three-time Hart Trophy winner for the next three contests.

That’s a big loss. McDavid is fourth in the NHL with 65 points and fourth with 45 assists, remaining a menace in the attack. The Oilers, in turn, are tied with the Vegas Golden Knights atop the Western Conference’s Pacific Division with 61 points as they look to return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight season.

They fell one game short of a title last season, losing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers.