DENVER - Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog was suspended Thursday for three games by the NHL for a cross-check on an Anaheim defenceman.

Landeskog hit Simon Despres in the neck area with his stick midway through the third period of a win Wednesday night. There was no penalty on the play.

After the game Wednesday, Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said he hadn't seen the hit, but "the league will look at it I'm sure."

The league considered Landeskog a repeat offender after the forward was suspended two games earlier in the season for an illegal check on Boston forward Brad Marchand.

Landeskog will be docked $203,832.75 in salary. Colorado is in a heated race with Minnesota for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.