T here has been a lot of conversation surrounding Conor Garland ahead of the Vancouver Canucks matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. Many comments have indicated

The Edmonton Oilers will play the next three games without superstar captain Connor McDavid after the NHL suspended him for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland on Saturday.

With his three-game suspension, McDavid is in line to miss Edmonton's matchups against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, Jan. 21, a rematch against the Canucks on Thursday, Jan. 23, and a home tilt against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, Jan. 25. He'll be eligible to return against the Seattle Kraken on Monday, Jan. 27.

Thursday, 6 p.m., Rogers Place TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650 The buzz: Conor Garland is a fan favourite in Vancouver and in the crosshairs of considerable vitriol in Edmonton. The mighty-mite winger will garner considerable consideration as the Canucks’ unsung hero at the end of this trying and tumultuous season.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has spoken publicly for the first time since receiving a three-game suspension. The NHL banned McDavid from appearing in three games this week, starting with Tuesday's loss to the Washington Capitals, for his cross-check on Vancouver’s Conor Garland during the final seconds of Saturday’s game.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid believes the NHL might have been a bit excessive in issuing him a three-game suspension for cross-checking

After Saturday’s game in which Oilers captain Connor McDavid cross-checked Vancouver Canucks’ Conor Garland and was consequently suspended three games for his actions, the latter quickly became public enemy number-one in Edmonton.