Kadri suspended 8 games for hit to Faulk's head

Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri is suspended eight games for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk during Game 2 on Wednesday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Friday.

Kadri received a five-minute major and match penalty for the hit. Faulk didn't return to the contest and wasn't available for Game 3 of the series.

"This is a high, forceful check to an opponent's head that caused an injury and was delivered by a player with a substantial disciplinary record," the league said.

Kadri's suspension began Game 3 on Friday.

The 6-foot pivot has been suspended three times in his last four playoffs and six times over his 12-year career.

He was last suspended during the 2019 postseason for a high hit on Boston Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk.