The NHL Department of Player Safety announced it has suspended Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog for three games for a cross-check to the head of Anaheim Ducks defenseman Simon Despres. This is Landeskog’s second suspension of the season, his first coming after a hit against Boston’s Brad Marchand and also lasting three games, and will cost him financially upwards of $200,000. Coincidentally, this is the second suspension this season for an Avalanche player following a hit against Despres as defenseman Tyson Barrie was also suspended three games earlier in the year for a hit that resulted in a concussion for Despres.

The Avalanche Captain will, barring an appeal, miss road games against the Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames. The timing of the suspension couldn’t be much worse as he has been arguably Colorado’s best player in recent weeks and the Avalanche are in a dead sprint with the Minnesota Wild for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The explanation for the suspension and video of the incident is below: