Jan 18, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) battles with Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland (8) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid Suspended for 3 Games : All the Details You Need to Know

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid faces a 3-game suspension following a dangerous cross-check to an opponent's head.

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid has received a three-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland in the head. Toward the end of the Canucks’ 3-2 victory against the Oilers on Saturday, McDavid and Garland became entangled in a tussle.

After being entangled for a brief heated moment, McDavid rose and cross-checked Garland in the side of his head with his stick. The Oilers star was swiftly ejected from the game with a match penalty for attempting to injure. On Monday, McDavid participated in a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, and soon after the hearing concluded, his suspension was revealed.

”The Oilers organization is disappointed and we share in our fans’ frustration over the three-game suspension of our captain Connor McDavid. We support him through this process and the organization and our fans look forward to having him back in the lineup vs. Seattle next week.” Released by Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid has been suspended for three games for cross-checking Conor Garland. pic.twitter.com/eDLhaCouCD
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 20, 2025

Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers received a three-game suspension for his actions during the same altercation involving McDavid and Garland.

Myers checked Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard in the face during the scuffle that followed the whistle. This marks the second occasion McDavid has faced suspension during his 10-year career. In 2019, he received a two-game suspension for a head check that was deemed illegal.

The suspension will result in a salary loss of $195,312 for McDavid during the upcoming three games. He was fined $5,000 in 2021 for elbowing another player. The Oilers will be without McDavid for their matchup against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, their rematch with the Canucks on Thursday, and during the game against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. McDavid can return to the lineup next Monday when the Oilers face the Seattle Kraken.

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McDavid has been outstanding, just like he has throughout his entire career, this season. The three-time Hart Trophy winner (regular season MVP) has recorded 65 points (20 goals, 45 assists) in 43 games this season. The Oilers hold a record of 29-14-3 and rank second in the Pacific Division, trailing the Vegas Golden Knights by just one point.

Oilers Fans’ Outrage Over Connor McDavid’s Suspension

McDavid allowed his emotions to overwhelm him and cross-checked Garland in the face, a dangerous action that the NHL is striving to eliminate from the game. Given that this isn’t McDavid’s first incident—he was handed a two-game suspension in 2019 for an illegal head check—the NHL’s Department of Player Safety issued an appropriate three-game suspension.

Here’s how Oilers fans are reacting to the news:

You have embarrassed yourself.
— Avalanche Forever (@citchmook) January 22, 2025

Such an embarrassment.
— Edna Garrett (@WatchMyReview) January 21, 2025

The National Hockey League should be ashamed, the retaliatory action was a direct cause of improper officiating .
— NDN (@CryptoNDN) January 21, 2025

Clearly you think you’re player is above the rules of the game with this statement
— MattB 🚨🚨 (@Matt_Bogie9) January 22, 2025

To some extent, it’s easy to understand the frustrations of Oilers fans. As the best player in the NHL, McDavid endures more on-ice harassment than most of his peers, as opposing teams try everything they can to contain him. If NHL referees called every infraction against McDavid, Oilers games might consist almost entirely of power plays.

McDavid has been in stellar form this season, tallying 20 goals and 45 assists for a total of 65 points in 43 games. The Oilers currently trail the Vegas Golden Knights by just one point for the top spot in the Pacific Division and have the advantage of a game in hand. Edmonton will now face the challenge of playing without McDavid in their upcoming matchups against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, and the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

In addition, the NHL has issued a three-game suspension to Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers for a separate cross-check incident involving Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard during Saturday’s 3-2 Canucks victory. The Canucks have yet to comment on Myers’ suspension.

Image Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Connor McDavid

Edmonton Oilers

NHL

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!