Connor McDavid and Tyler Myers face NHL disciplinary hearings after cross-checking penalties in the final moments of the Canucks’ 3-2 win over the Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers are under NHL review following cross-checking penalties in the closing seconds of the Canucks’ 3-2 victory on Saturday. Both players face potential suspensions for their actions.
McDavid’s incident involved a cross-check to the head of Vancouver’s Conor Garland, while Myers delivered a cross-check to Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard. Both players were penalized during the game.
McDavid’s Frustration Boils Over
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch defended McDavid, citing frustration over a missed holding call against Garland.
“Connor gets frustrated, and he gets his stick up,” Knoblauch said postgame. “He’s frustrated because we’re down one goal, and the best player in the league is getting held for 15 seconds. There’s frustration that that’s allowed to happen.”
Teammate Leon Draisaitl echoed those sentiments, saying, “It’s hockey. It happens. It’s intense. We couldn’t get one, and then a little bit of fisticuffs. Nothing major.”
Impact of a Potential McDavid Suspension
McDavid, a three-time Hart Trophy winner, is critical to Edmonton’s success. He currently ranks fourth in the NHL with 65 points (20 goals, 45 assists) in 43 games.
Since the 2016-17 season, McDavid has been a consistent presence, missing no more than seven games in a season.
His disciplinary record includes only one suspension: a two-game ban in 2019 for a hit on Nick Leddy of the New York Islanders.
Before Saturday’s game, McDavid had accrued just 14 penalty minutes this season.
Myers’ Disciplinary History
Myers, on the other hand, is more familiar with NHL discipline, having served two previous three-game suspensions.
This season, he has 54 penalty minutes alongside two goals and 11 assists for the Canucks.
What’s Next?
The NHL will assess the severity of the cross-checking incidents and decide on potential suspensions during the disciplinary hearings.
For Edmonton, losing McDavid for any length of time would be a significant setback, while Vancouver could feel the absence of Myers in their defensive lineup.
With both players’ actions under scrutiny, the league’s decision will set a precedent for managing escalating tensions late in games.