NEW YORK -- Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference has been suspended three games for his check to the head of Vancouver forward Zack Kassian.

The NHL said Monday he will be eligible to return for Sunday's road game in New York against the Rangers.

Ference will lose $118,902 in salary. He has been suspended twice before and fined once during his 15-season career.

This time, he drew a minor penalty for his second-period hit on Kassian during Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Canucks. The 35-year-old defenseman drove his shoulder into Kassian's head after the Vancouver forward made a pass in the Oilers' zone.