Oilers’ Connor McDavid Faces Suspension After Ejection vs Canucks

by · The Fresno Bee

Hockey's most prolific name could be off the lineup sheet for some time.

The Department of Player Safety announced Edmonton Oilers megastar Connor McDavid will attend a hearing following Saturday's ejection for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Connor Garland.

McDavid hit the showers early with a match penalty after he and Garland became tangled up following a scoring opportunity in the waning moments of the Canucks' 3-2 win. As play carried on, the two engaged in a scrap which led to McDavid delivering a high cross-check to Garland. The incident sparked a melee between both teams.

Garland was sent to the box with a two-minute minor for roughing. There was a grand total of 52 penalty minutes issued after the dust settled.

"There's a rivalry. Connor gets frustrated," coach Kris Knoblauch said. "He gets his stick up and 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, and his stick got up. So that's what happened."

More NHL:Penguins' Alex Nedeljkovic Set Unbelievable NHL Record in Win vs Sabres

According to Jeff Marek of Daily Faceoff, the hearings will take place over the phone, indicating that any resulting suspensions would be fewer than five games.

This is not the first time that McDavid has faced disciplinary action. He served a two-game suspension in February 2019 for a hit to the head on then-New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy. Additionally, he was fined $5,000 in March 2021.

McDavid already raised controversy across the hockey world for another dangerous play against Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Johansson on Wednesday, who got a concussion after McDavid delivered a high hit.

Canucks forward Tyler Myers also received a match penalty and will attend a hearing for his involvement in the extra-curricular activities. Myers cross-checked Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard with three seconds left in the game as the Oilers pushed for the tying score.

"I thought we had a pretty good push to make it 3-2 after the second period, and we just couldn't generate enough to get that third one."

The Oilers (29-14-3) will move on to face the Washington Capitals at home on Tuesday, followed by a rematch with Vancouver on Thursday.

More NHL:

Canucks' Rick Tocchet Seemingly Takes Shot at JT Miller Amid Trade Rumors

Leafs Predicted to Sign Big Name Center Before Trade Deadline

For more on the NHL, head to Newsweek Sports.

Related Articles

2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published January 19, 2025 at 10:26 AM.