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Hitchcock: McDavid 'pissed off' as superstar returns from suspension

Mike Stobe / National Hockey League / Getty

Ken Hitchcock is hoping Connor McDavid turns his frustration into a positive against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.

"I expect him to play well," the Edmonton Oilers head coach told reporters, including TSN's Mark Masters, before the game. "He's pissed off and hopefully he stays that way from 7 to 9:30 (p.m. ET) ... he's not a happy guy right now and that's good for us."

McDavid will be back in action after being forced to sit out the last two games for his high hit on New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy last Thursday. It was the first suspension of McDavid's career.

The 22-year-old all-world center said Saturday that he wasn't expecting to receive the ban prior to his hearing, but figured he would be suspended upon discussing the matter with the NHL Department of Player Safety.

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