The Colorado Avalanche will be without their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, for the next three games after he was suspended today for cross-checking Ducks defenseman Simon Despres in the head on Wednesday.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety ruled that Landeskog delivered a “high, reckless and irresponsible cross-check” and that, even if Landeskog wasn’t targeting Despres’ head, “players must be responsible for their stick.”
Landeskog will miss Saturday’s game in Winnipeg, Wednesday’s in Vancouver and Friday’s in Calgary. He’ll be eligible to return Sunday in Edmonton.
The 23-year-old is third in Avs scoring with 46 points in 65 games, so it’s a significant loss for a team that’s battling Minnesota for the final wild-card spot in the West.