Mar 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Justin Hryckowian (49) fights Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters)
Is Connor McDavid showing signs of frustration?
Normally never one to fight, as one expects from a franchise cornerstone, the Edmonton Oilers superstar sought out the Dallas Stars’ Arttu Hyry at the end of the second period with his team trailing 5-2. Stars centre Justin Hryckowian protected his rookie and stepped in front of McDavid to have a go at him himself.
The two exchanged punches before being separated by the referees, McDavid the one looking worse for wear after the fight. The Oilers lost 7-2 and McDavid’s 19-game consecutive point streak was snapped.
The main cause of McDavid’s frustration in the moment appeared to stem from when Hyry cleared the puck after the second intermission horn sounded, as it hit teammate Leon Draisaitl square in the midsection.
After the Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs had a couple incidents where they failed to stick up for their teammate, it was good to see McDavid stick up for his. It absolutely shocked some fans, as he’s the one usually getting protected and fought for after sustaining a nasty hit.
McDavid has certainly had frustration to let out when you look at the last few years. To lose back-to-back Stanley Cup finals to the Florida Panthers and then also the 2026 men’s Olympic hockey gold medal game to the USA less than a month ago, the 29-year-old whose name is already legend didn’t need much to let some of that internal rage out.
“He’s the last guy that should be doing that, to be honest,” Oilers left-winger Zach Hyman said after the game. “As a group, when things are going like that there are ways to be engaged. You saw him trying to pull our group back into the fight. Leon as well.”
As for the fight itself, as per reports, this is McDavid’s first fight since back in his OHL days and so would be his first ever in the NHL. Fans, naturally, were always going to have plenty to say about that as well.
Draisaitl and McDavid have been a magnificent pairing over the years and the former will surely appreciate the gesture McDavid made by sticking up for him and being prepared to take a punch for him.
Edmonton is currently seventh in the Western Conference, 20 points behind the Stars in second place. In 66 games this season, McDavid has racked up 36 goals and 74 assists with his 110 points leading the league. This would be the first time McDavid leads the league in points since his monstrous 2022-23 season when he amassed 153 points.
Will McDavid have more rage to unleash? The Oilers are back in action Friday night in St. Louis against the Blues for the second game of a back-to-back.