Capitals D Erskine suspended three games

Washington Capitals defenseman John Erskine was suspended for three games by the NHL for elbowing Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds during the first period of Friday night's game.

The three-game suspension will cost Erskine $24,324.33.

After throwing what the NHL called a "reckless" elbow that started a fight, Erskine will miss Sunday's afternoon against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a Tuesday game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and another meeting with Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Simmonds suffered head and neck injuries and was sidelined for Saturday's game against Carolina.