The Edmonton Oilers will be without Connor McDavid for their next three games after the NHL suspended the superstar forward following an illegal cross-check to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland on Saturday.

Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl scored his 29th goal in the first five minute of a game in a 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Leon Draisaitl continued his MVP-type season with a three-point game. Zach Hyman buried two and could have had four. Calvin Pickard was strong early. And Corey Perry was in full-worm form with a highly effective, agitating display.

Draisaitl is expected to be a core piece for the Oilers for the foreseeable future. He signed an eight-year, $112 million contract ($14 million average annual value) starting next season and is currently in the final season of an eight-year, $68 million contract ($8.5 million AAV) signed prior to the 2017-2018 season.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl met with the media for the first time since news of McDavid's suspension broke, and the superstar gave a classic sassy comment on the state of NHL refereeing.

It was hard-nosed blueliner Darnell Nurse who picked up the primary assist. His contribution was being ready to take a Draisaitl pass, and blast a solid attempt on net but have it stopped by Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Instead, it was Draisaitl who did all the work to make this four-on-four goal happen.

The Edmonton Oilers aren't taking the Connor McDavid suspension well, and now, top star Leon Draisaitl has fired back at the NHL with a major statement.

Zach Hyman had two goals and an assist and Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 on Thursday.

The past six months have been a whirlwind for Edmonton Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin, who is now a fan-favourite in the Alberta capital.

The entire post-game interview lasted a brisk 1:16. Draisaitl may have given a more "pissy" response in the past. This was notably calm and collected despite his obvious disappointment in the game's end results. This is a statement of Draisaitl's growth and maturity. He doesn't get too high when they win, and he doesn't get too low when they lose.

Could Connor McDavid leave Edmonton at the end of his contract? @wyshynski explained to @JeffMarek why he doesn't believe it's a guarantee that the #LetsGoOilers superstar remains with the team when his contract expires👀 Presented by @FanDuelCanada pic.twitter.com/PPodhegfyw