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.

Crosby - who was the face of the league for most of his career - knows a thing or two about the liberties taken against star players on a nightly basis

The Penguins superstar is one of the few who can relate to the amount of attention and abuse McDavid gets on the ice. And this is what he had to say:

This is not the first time that McDavid has faced disciplinary action. He served a two-game suspension in February 2019 for a hit to the head on then-New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy. Additionally, he was fined $5,000 in March 2021.

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.

Connor McDavid is giving his thoughts on his recent ban. The Edmonton Oilers captain spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since the NHL Department of Player Safety suspended him for three games as a result of cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland in the face.