Washington Capitals' Mike Green suspended three games for hit on Tampa Bay Lightning's Brett Connolly

Capitals defenseman Mike Green was suspended Friday for three games for his elbow to the head of the Lightning's Brett Connolly.

The hit was a violation of the league's head-shot rule, league senior vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan said.

With 8:54 left in the second period Thursday and Connolly pinned against the end boards by Capitals defenseman Dmitri Orlov, Green, skating toward them, "sees Connolly … then slows down, waits, loads up and targets Connolly's head, making it the principal point of contact," Shanahan said in announcing the suspension. No penalty was called on the play.

Green's punishment takes into account his suspension and fine for a head shot on then-Panthers wing Michael Frolik in January 2010 and that Connolly, after leaving the game, returned and played, Shanahan said.

Green also loses $85,135 in pay.