The NHL issued a three-game suspension to Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid this week for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland late in their game this weekend.McDavid was angry after he had been tackled to the ice and held down by Garland — with no penalty called — as the Oilers were attempting to tie the game.

McDavid was speaking to the media for the first time since he struck Garland in the head in the dying seconds of Saturday’s 3-2 loss.

The Edmonton Oilers will be without suspended superstar Connor McDavid when they host the struggling Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night in the second game between the Pacific Division rivals in less than a week.