NEW YORK -- Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri was suspended for three games without pay by the NHL on Thursday for a hit to Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom's head.

Kadri received a minor penalty for goaltender interference on the first-period play Wednesday night in the Maple Leafs' 2-1 shootout loss at Minnesota. Backstrom left the game a few minutes later.

Kadri received a match penalty in the third period for hitting Mikael Granlund in the head

The suspension will cost Kadri $44,615. He has five goals and nine assists in 18 games this season.

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