Oilers Media Submits Complaint to NHL Player Safety For Brutal Missed Call on Connor McDavid
The Edmonton Oilers played a tightly contested battle against the Los Angeles Kings last night, and more than a few times, the Kings took liberties with Connor McDavid.
The Oilers bagged a 1-0 win over their playoff rival Kings, but one of the biggest takeaways from the game was the NHL's refusal to protect their biggest star player.
Oilers superstar Connor McDavid Brutally Slewfooted with No Penalty Called
Midway through the third period, Kings forward Adrian Kempe moved to make a vicious check and clear slewfoot on Connor McDavid after he had played the puck. Thankfully, McDavid wasn't hurt on the play.
Oilers writer David Staples tagged the NHL Department of Player Safety multiple times when flagging this play, questioning why the league thinks that wasn't a worthy of a penalty or a fine.
NHL Player Safety is pretty unlikely to respond in any manner, but it does raise the important point of the league failing to protect its biggest star. They need to be better.
The Kings clearly made a point of attacking Connor McDavid throughout the game, as earlier, Alex Laferrière actually picked up McDavid's leg and dropped him in front of the Oilers bench. Kapseri Kapanen valiantly stepped in to defend the captain, and there were rightful penalties called.
Kings Targeting Connor McDavid Shows Oilers Need to Get Tougher
In the Edmonton Journal, Staples argued that McDavid's treatment from the Kings last night shows they need to get tougher, and be ready for this style in the playoffs.
-David Staples
The Oilers will likely be facing off against the Kings in the first round of the playoffs, and if last night's game was any indication of their strategy, they will be wearing down the Oilers stars over a series.
Edmonton may want to bring in some toughness in the forward and defence group at the trade deadline, but more than that, every Oiler needs to adopt a mentality of refusing to be pushed around.
