Oilers' Connor McDavid: NHL 3-Game Suspension 'Harsh' After Conor Garland Cross-Check

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid believes the NHL might have been a bit excessive in issuing him a three-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland during Saturday's 3-2 loss.

In fact, he said the league was a "little bit harsh" with the penalty, although he also accepted responsibility.

"Obviously, there's lots of holding and holding down—he holds my head down for a little bit—but I can't have that reaction," McDavid said, per Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic. "I know that. Everyone knows that. Not the reaction that I'm proud of or that anyone wants to see out of me, and I understand that."

Garland and McDavid became entangled during the closing stretch of Saturday's contest, and the Oilers captain found his head pinned to the ice and held. He responded with the cross-check that drew the suspension.

He wasn't the only one punished from that game, as Vancouver defenseman Tyler Myers was given a three-game suspension for cross-checking Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard in the aftermath of McDavid's penalty.

McDavid missed Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals and will sit out Thursday's rematch against the Canucks and Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres.

He will be eligible to return for Monday's game against the Seattle Kraken.

On Tuesday, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported McDavid and the NHLPA decided not to appeal the penalty partially out of concern the timing of such an appeal would mean he could miss the three games regardless of the ruling.

The future Hall of Famer was also suspended two games in 2019 for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy. Nugent-Bowman noted he was not suspended for a hit to the head of Minnesota Wild winger Marcus Johansson on Jan. 15.

Johansson has not played since the incident.

"It's tough to skate with your arms tucked in," McDavid said. "I'm not trying to get him at all. That's extremely unfortunate. I feel awful about that. The league alluded to history in the suspension. I'm not sure I have a history of being a dirty player.

"Obviously, I'm not trying to hurt guys. Every game I go out there, I'm thinking, 'How am I going to score? How am I going to make plays? How am I going to help the team win?' It's not, 'Who am I going to elbow next?' That's not who I am. I don't think anyone here thinks that. It's an unfortunate week."

Edmonton has lost two straight, although it is still 29-15-3 and sitting in second place in the Pacific Division behind only the Vegas Golden Knights.