Sidney Crosby comes to Connor McDavid’s defense amid suspension controversy!

Pittsburgh Penguins icon Sidney Crosby gets where Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is coming from. Earlier this week, the Oilers’ captain received a three-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland in the head. The NHL explained that the cross-check to Garland’s head had “sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline” and McDavid will not launched an appeal of the Department of Player Safety’s decision. While he will serve those three games and return to the Oilers’ lineup next week, McDavid, the Oilers and their fanbase aren’t happy with the league’s decision.

And Crosby gets why. When speaking to team insider Josh Yohe after a morning skate earlier this week, the Pens’ captain gave his take on the situation and suspension and got into McDavid’s corner. He believes that McDavid’s emotions took over because of Garland’s actions, and in the end, it cost the Oilers’ star forward.

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

Crosby then summed the incident up in two perfect words:

“That’s hockey.”

Crosby could be defending his Oilers’ rival as he may be getting ready to become McDavid’s teammate as they will get their first opportunity to play on the same team when they will both represent Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal and Boston.

In the meantime, McDavid remains on the sideline as he will be able to return to the Oilers lineup until next Monday when they host the Seattle Kraken.