After the final buzzer of Game 3 of the Oilers-Canucks series on Sunday night, chaos erupted after Connor McDavid fell to his knees after being hit by a two-man cross-check and took a second shot to the face.
This was allegedly retaliation for a slashing attack by McDavid late in the third period, but clearly the punishment in this case does not fit the crime. Carson Soucy initially appeared to be punching McDavid in the chest, but Nikita Zadorov’s first cross-check caused the Oilers star to fall forward, resulting in a second check to the face.
It remains to be seen how the NHL will react. A shot like this after the buzzer on one of the sport’s biggest stars is sure to garner a reaction from the league office. TSN scouting director Craig Button believes play needs to be suspended.
“This is not a hockey play. It’s the end of the game and the scene where the Department of Player Safety has to suspend Carson Soucy,” Button said. “If they don’t do that, it’s a failure of justice to do what’s necessary in the game to prevent this type of play from happening. Anything less is unacceptable.”
McDavid has had an up-and-down series with Vancouver so far. In fact, the playoffs were an eventful one for him. Edmonton is nearly unstoppable when he’s in the game, but downright average when he’s not. There’s a clear push on the Canucks’ side to get McDavid off the ice, which adds another element.
We’ll know more once the league office decides to issue a suspension based on that hit or ignore it altogether. However, action is likely.
The Canucks currently lead the Oilers 2-1 in the second round of the series.
