Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri suspended 8 games for hit to head

NEW YORK (AP) — Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri was suspended for eight games by the NHL on Friday night for a head shot on St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series. The NHL announced the punishment during Colorado’s 5-1 victory in Game 3 in St. Louis that gave the top-seeded Avalanche a 3-0 series lead. In its video report, the NHL cited Kadri’s “substantial disciplinary history” and noted he could have taken a different angle rather than targeting the head. The league said Kadri argued he intended to deliver a full body check. If the suspension — the sixth of Kadri’s career — is not completed during the playoffs, the remaining games will be served at the beginning of next season.