Edmonton Oilers Player Gets Viciously Smashed Into Boards By Jack Eichel: Fans Calling For Suspension

The Golden Knights visited Edmonton yesterday to take on Connor McDavid and the Oilers in a Pacific Division battle.

Hockey fans seem universally convinced that both are contenders to go deep in the playoffs next spring and that each meeting between the two will be a dogfight.

Well, last night was no different as Jack Eichel came out and put a big check on Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm.

The 34-year-old Mattias Ekholm had been one of the Oilers' most reliable blue-liners this season, entering Tuesday with 12 points in 30 games and a +8 rating.

A few thousand hearts stopped, however, when he lay on the ice after being smashed hard into the boards by Jack Eichel.

It was a race to the puck in the corner that ended with a collision. Ekholm won the race and was able to move the puck just before Eichel delivered a heavy hit, sending him head-first into the boards.

Luckily, Ekholm remained in the game, but many were surprised it was not considered a penalty on Eichel for the hit by the on-ice referees. After the game, fans took to X to voice their frustrations, calling for a suspension for Eichel.

All eyes now shift to the NHL's Department of Player Safety and a decision on whether any discipline will be doled out.

Though suspensions have proved rare when no penalty is assessed on the ice, a fine remains a possibility. DoPS must announce its decision by 5 p.m., barring, of course, he will be facing no other sanction action.