Leafs defenceman rocks Connor McDavid and no Edmonton Oiler Comes to His Defense

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Ryan Hall
March 2, 2023 (7:32)

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The anticipation for tonight's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs was running high all day. With both teams making major moves over the last number of days plus the star power and their lingering rivalry from the COVID NHL season, most fans expected a great game between the two clubs.

However, one couldn't help but notice that Connor McDavid was a target for numerous Leafs to be hit. Leafs defenseman Justin Holl made his presence felt when he crunched McDavid into the boards during the second period.

After Holl's thunderous hit, it's noticed that no other Oilers were around to help their superstar captain. Later in the third, Holl laid another monster hit on Oilers forward Kailer Yamamoto.

This led to a major response from Ryan Nugent Hopkins who decided to fight Justin Holl which turned out to be the most unexpected fight in the NHL this season.

RNH made quick work of Holl with one good punch to the face which dropped him to the ice and finished off the fight.

I find it interesting that there would be a response to Yamamoto's fight and nothing to McDavid getting rocked. One could wonder why this is happening and it seems to be happening more often.

McDavid, however, had the last laugh as he scored two goals and one assist, and the Oilers won 5-2.