NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri's eight-game suspension, the league announced Monday.
Kadri will now appeal the suspension to a neutral arbitrator who will have the final say, according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.
The 30-year-old was handed the ban after delivering a hit to the head on St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk during Game 2 of Round 1. Kadri has already served three games of the suspension, which means he will be eligible to return no earlier than Game 7 of Colorado's series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
This marks the third time Kadri has been suspended in the postseason and the sixth time overall during his career.
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