Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid could be facing supplemental discipline after being assessed a match penalty for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland in the face during the Oilers’ 3-2 loss on Saturday night.
The Incident
The ugly incident occurred in the final minute of regulation with Edmonton pressing for the tying goal. A frustrated McDavid, who had been pinned down by Garland in the offensive zone for an extended period without a penalty call, violently drove his stick into Garland’s face.
Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers jumped into the fray to defend his teammate, earning a match penalty himself for going after Oilers forward Evan Bouchard. The NHL Department of Player Safety will automatically review both plays for potential suspensions.
Expert Analysis
Sportsnet analyst and former NHL goaltender Kelly Hrudey expressed his belief that McDavid will sit for at least two games for the “brutal” cross-check.
“It’s a match penalty,” Hrudey said on the broadcast. “He’s going to get suspended, as is Tyler Myers.”
Another national analyst, NHL insider John Shannon, also reports that he expects hearings for both players.
It’s probably fair to expect NHL Player Safety to have 2 hearings come out of the Edm/Van game. McDavid and Myers will be talking with the boys in NYC.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) January 19, 2025
Other analysts were split on the severity of the impending suspension.
“That’s a brutal cross-check to the head of Conor Garland,” said Ray Ferraro. “I think McDavid is going to get two games.”
However, Mark Spector noted that Garland “barely went down” on the play and suggested he didn’t sell the cross-check, which could factor into the league’s decision.
To Garland's credit, he barely went down after that McDavid cross check.
Many players would have milked it. Garland got right up.
On the other hand, the fact he wasn't injured in any way should affect Player Safety's decision on the match penalty.— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec) January 19, 2025
Oilers reporter Jim Matheson called out the officials for putting their whistles away and letting the situation escalate.
“Refs should have whistled Garland 10 seconds before [McDavid’s] crosscheck,” Matheson tweeted. He also added that he doesn’t see McDavid escaping suspension.
Refs should have whistled Garland 10 seconds before 97 crosscheck to Garland head. They blew it. But hard to fathom McDavid escaping suspension. Same with Myers on Bouchard. One or two game suspension for both guys I would think
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) January 19, 2025
McDavid Suspension History
McDavid’s disciplinary history will be a factor in the NHL’s ruling. The 28-year-old has largely avoided supplemental discipline throughout his career, but he’s not exempt from the league’s rulebook.
McDavid’s lone previous suspension came in February 2019 for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy. More recently, he was fined but avoided a suspension for elbowing Montreal Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi in March 2021.
Incident | Games | Fine |
---|---|---|
Elbowing Kotkaniemi (2021) | 0 | $5,000 |
Illegal check (2019) | 2 | $134,408 |
However, recent suspensions for similar plays, like Auston Matthews’ two-game ban for cross-checking Rasmus Dahlin, have set a precedent for McDavid to miss time. The blatant head contact and match penalty make a suspension likely, even if Garland wasn’t injured on the play.
Auston Matthews gets a two game suspension for his cross-check on Rasmus Dahlin.
Thoughts on the ruling? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/EgTjvqdC1K
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 14, 2022
Coach’s Perspective
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged that McDavid needs to keep his emotions in check, even when calls aren’t going his way.
“Connor gets frustrated and he gets his stick up,” Knoblauch said post-game. “He’s frustrated because we’re down one goal, and the best player in the league is getting held for 15 seconds.”
Garland’s Side of the Story
Following the game, Garland offered his perspective on the controversial play.
“I’m just holding him,” Garland told Sportsnet 650. “I mean, he’s the best player to ever do it. The time’s running out. I just thought that was maybe the best way for us to win a game was to do that.”
Conor Garland on his skirmish with McDavid: I’m just holding him. I mean, he’s the best player to ever do it. The time’s running out. I just thought that was maybe the best way for us to win a game was to do that. #Canucks @Sportsnet650
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) January 19, 2025
Garland’s comments suggest he was intentionally trying to tie up McDavid in the dying seconds of a one-goal game, even if it meant taking a penalty. While his tactics were certainly effective in neutralizing the Oilers’ biggest threat, they also played a role in escalating tensions on the ice.
Potential Impact
If McDavid is ultimately suspended, it would be a massive loss for the Oilers in a tight Pacific Division playoff race. The league’s leading scorer has 65 points in just 46 games this season.
Edmonton would likely elevate Leon Draisaitl to the top line and plug depth forwards like Jeff Skinner or Mattias Janmark into the lineup for any games McDavid misses. But there’s simply no replacing the dynamic skillset and game-breaking ability McDavid brings on a nightly basis.
Fan Reaction
The court of public opinion was split on the McDavid-Garland incident, with many hockey fans taking to social media to weigh in on the controversial play. One Reddit thread on the popular Hockey subreddit blew up with over 1,000 comments on the play.
Some argued that Garland instigated the altercation by holding McDavid down. “Garland clearly holding his arm down underneath him,” wrote one user.
Others felt the lack of penalties called on Garland led to the ugly outcome. “If the refs did their f– jobs and called any of the penalties this s– wouldn’t happen,” another fan posted.
However, many felt McDavid’s cross-check was indefensible, even if provoked. “Defending the cross check to the face by saying there should have been a pen on Garland seems like a pretty gutless take,” one commenter said.
While there were heated debates, there was one discussion area where many fans agreed. Several fans pointed out McDavid’s flying elbow to the head of Minnesota’s Marcus Johansson last week that somehow went unpunished.
The Minnesota Wild announce Marcus Johansson has an upper-body injury following this elbow from Connor McDavid 😬 pic.twitter.com/ndTtNPiiEC
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 16, 2025
“Two headshots in a week for McDavid, not a great look,” said multiple users.
The incident reignited the rivalry between the Oilers and Canucks, with the teams set to meet again on Thursday night. It also highlighted the NHL’s ongoing issues with headshots and disciplinary consistency, especially when it comes to star players.
Whether the league makes an example of McDavid or gives him a slap on the wrist, the ugly play will no doubt be a talking point for days in the hockey world.