Gabriel Landeskog suspended 4 games for Matthew Tkachuk cross-check

A cross-check will cost the Avalanche the services of Gabriel Landeskog for the next four games.

The NHL's player safety department announced Monday that the Colorado captain has been suspended for his hit Saturday night on Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk.

After the pair had battled for the puck behind the Avalanche net, Landeskog cross-checked Tkachuk in the neck area, sending the Calgary player's face into the back of the net.

"At no point is Tkachuk posturing to exchange cross-checks, as often happens during a game," the NHL said in its video announcing the discipline. "Instead, he is off-balance and bent over when Landestog recklessly and forcefully cross-checks his opponent in the head."

The league noted Landeskog previously served a three-game suspension for cross-checking Anaheim's Simon Despres in March 2016.

Landeskog will be eligible to return Dec. 7 against the Lightning.