NHL commissioner Gary Bettman indicated Connor McDavid's three-game suspension is part of the league's efforts to crack down on hits to the head.
"I think in terms of supplemental discipline, cross-check to the face or the head has to be dealt with," Bettman told reporters Thursday (h/t The Athletic's Michael Russo and Joe Smith.)
The suspension involved an incident that took place on Jan. 19, when Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland appeared to hold McDavid down during the final 30 seconds of a one-goal game. The Edmonton Oilers captain retaliated by hitting Garland in the face.