NHL gives matching suspensions to McDavid and Myers for cross-checks in Canucks-Oilers game
The NHL has announced Tyler Myers and Connor McDavid’s punishment for their actions at the end of the recent Vancouver Canucks-Edmonton Oilers game.
Both players have been given three-game suspensions for cross-checks that hit their opponents in the head.
McDavid gave Canucks winger Conor Garland a good shot after the two players got tangled up on the ice in the dying seconds of the 3-2 Canucks win.
“With the puck at the half-wall, McDavid turns to face Garland, approaches him, draws back his stick with both hands and intentionally strikes Garland in the head with force. This is cross-checking,” says the NHL in the explanation video.
Connor McDavid was issued a match penalty on this play for cross-checking Conor Garland. pic.twitter.com/sB2Gpb3xAA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
The fact that McDavid had been suspended once and fined once before during his career thus far played into the league’s decision.
Myers also gave Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard a similar cross-check in the ensuing scuffle.
“Bouchard approaches Myers with one hand on his stick, as he does, Myers raises his stick with two hands, draws it back and delivers a blow that hits Bouchard directly in the face,” says the NHL’s explanation video.
While Myers told reporters earlier today he didn’t mean to hit Bouchard in the face, the NHL didn’t agree.
“It’s important to note that this is not a case of a stick that is directed toward the body that rides up the opponent. This cross-check is delivered cleanly to the head of Bouchard, and while we have heard Myers’ assertion that he does not intend to strike Bouchard in this manner, players are responsible for their stick at all times.”
Tyler Myers has been suspended for three games for cross-checking Evan Bouchard. pic.twitter.com/kmta8VEVpO
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 20, 2025
“I’m not ignorant to the fact of how it looks in real time,” explained Myers before the decision came down. “But if you slow it down, I did start lower, and as he started to bring his hands up, it kind of redirected my stick.”
“I never intended to hit him in the face; I’ve never cross-checked anyone in the face in my whole career…I don’t want to hit a guy in the face like that.”
The fact that Myers had been suspended twice before and fined twice also went into the NHL’s decision.
This means that both players will miss the next Canucks-Oilers game, which will take place on Thursday in Edmonton. McDavid will also miss the Oilers game tomorrow night against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
At the time, the two players were given match penalties with an automatic suspension pending review. They each had a hearing with the league this morning, which was conducted over the phone.
McDavid will forfeit $195,312.51 in salary, and Myers will forfeit $46,875.00. All of that money will go toward the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.