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Penguins' Sidney Crosby Opens Up on Connor McDavid's Suspension

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 6:45 AM ET

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby offered his perspective on Connor McDavid’s three-game suspension for cross-checking Conor Garland during Saturday’s Edmonton-Vancouver clash.

Speaking to The Athletic on Monday, Crosby acknowledged McDavid’s actions but framed them within the physical nature of hockey.

“I saw the cross-check,” Crosby said. “But I couldn’t tell if it was his glove or his stick that hit him in the face. If it was his glove, it wasn’t a huge deal. But if it was his stick, then it’s a different story.

“Whether it’s him or anyone else, it’s an emotional game. That’s going to happen sometimes.

“That’s hockey.“

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

McDavid’s suspension, announced by the NHL Department of Player Safety, stems from a late-game altercation where the Oilers captain retaliated against Garland with a high cross-check to the head after being repeatedly pinned and blocked from moving.

McDavid’s absence will see him miss games against the Washington Capitals, the Canucks, and the Buffalo Sabres, leaving Edmonton without the fifth most-prolific point scorer in the NHL with 65 points in just 43 games.

Crosby, who has never been suspended in his career but has engaged in physical play at times, empathized with McDavid’s situation.

“Sometimes your emotions get the best of you. It’s a physical sport,” Crosby said. “The one time you see that, you probably didn’t see the nine hits that Connor took. Those ones are the ones that never make the highlights.

”When you retaliate, you make the highlights.”

Vancouver’s Tyler Myers also received a three-game ban for a separate cross-check to Evan Bouchard’s head during the same game. Both players were fined.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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