Wild players outraged by non-call on Edmonton Oilers captain McDavid
The Minnesota Wild were not happy with Connor McDavid following a come-from-behind 5-3 victory by the Edmonton Oilers.
It wasn’t because the Oilers captain torched them for two goals on the night, becoming the second-highest-scoring player in franchise history, but rather for a play in the third period. The Wild were incensed following a play where McDavid’s elbow caught a piece of Wild forward Marcus Johansson’s head and no penalty was called.
Connor McDavid got away with an elbow on Marcus Johansson 😳😬 pic.twitter.com/4ylOTxlwWz
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 16, 2025
After the game, The Athletic’s Michael Russo reported that Minnesota defenceman Jake Middleton had some very strong words about the non-call. The veteran defender said the non-call was “horse sh*t” and that he doesn’t care “if it’s the best player in the world.”
Middleton said the non-call on McDavid in a 3-3 game that injured Johansson was “horseshit.” Says if that’s Hartman or Foligno, you know what would happen. “I don’t care if it’s the best player in the world.”
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 16, 2025
It’s a play that probably did deserve a two-minute penalty at the time as McDavid’s elbow did make contact with Johansson’s head. It did not, however, look like a play where there was any ill intent. Instead, it looked like McDavid dished off the puck, saw Johansson, and was trying to get around him. Unfortunately, his elbow happened to make some contact.
“It’s unfortunate and I hope he’s okay,” McDavid said in a TNT interview after the game. “Not trying to hurt anybody out there, just trying to go through there. Very unfortunate and I hope he’s alright.”
What a moment between Wayne and Connor… until Biz asked his question at the end 😭 pic.twitter.com/2BeHIKVVET
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 16, 2025
Russo reported that referee Chris Lee told Wild head coach John Hynes that Johansson was high-sticked by his own twig, which was why there was no penalty. A replay shows that was untrue.
Sounds like Chris Lee told Hynes the same thing. Hynes basically said the answer he got was nonsense https://t.co/dvfJS9P3Px
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 16, 2025
It’s the type of play that could result in the Oilers captain being fined by the NHL Department of Player Safety later today. McDavid has avoided discipline throughout most of his pro career, with just one suspension and one fine since entering the league in 2015.
That last fine was for an elbow he threw on Montreal Canadien’s forward Jesper Kotkaniemi in 2021. The timing of this is interesting, considering McDavid was the recipient of a slew foot from LA Kings forward Adrian Kempe on Monday that resulted in a $5,000 fine.
We’ll see if the NHL deems this play worthy of the same result.