"Complete and utter media fabrication": Fans react as Conor Garland brushes off being public enemy No. 1 in Edmonton after Connor McDavid's suspension

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has been suspended for three games for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland. The incident occurred in the final moments of Saturday's game, when McDavid was attempting to tie the score. Garland held him down, preventing him from getting up, and McDavid responded by cross-checking Garland in the head, earning a match penalty.

The host Canucks won the game 3-2, snapping the Oilers' three-game winning streak and ending their three-game road trip on a sour note. Following a disciplinary hearing, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced McDavid's three-game suspension on Monday.

The suspension will force Connor McDavid to miss three of the Oilers' upcoming six straight home games. In their first game without McDavid, the Oilers lost 2-3 to the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

As the Oilers prepared for a Thursday rematch against the Canucks at Rogers Place, they looked to avenge Saturday's loss and Connor McDavid's suspension without their star captain. Ahead of the game, Garland addressed the media and shared his thoughts on being Edmonton's public enemy number one.

“I do not care," Garland said. "I just try to play each and every day and put forth a good effort. whatever happened, happened. I didn’t hurt him or slew foot him. I guess they’re upset about the hold. I didn’t try to injure him. Whatever comes with that, comes with that.”

Garland's nonchalant comments sparked outrage among a few Oilers fans, who had already directed their frustration and anger towards him for Connor McDavid's suspension. Many took to X to express their anger, with comments like:

"I'm thinking he will care when he gets his teeth knocked out," wrote one fan.

"Dude lookin like Peter Dinklage, thinkin he’s Brad Marchand," reacted one fan.

"Guy is honestly the weakest physically individual in the league. He may get thrown around like a dog toy," wrote another fan.

However, many Oilers fans took to X to argue that the media had exaggerated his role as a villain. They claimed that Garland isn't big enough or relevant enough to be considered a legitimate enemy of the Oilers and that the "enemy number one" narrative was simply a media fabrication.

"He literally isn't enemy #1. This is complete and utterly media fabrication lol. No one in Edmomton cares about Tyrion Lannister," wrote one X user.

"Eventually the media is going to have to talk about real Canucks news, not this fantasy stuff. Sorry," noted one fan.

"Funny thing is... He's not. Vancouver Media and their own coach put him in that spot," reacted another fan.

Connor McDavid-less Oilers' shine, take commanding lead against Canucks

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers - Source: Imagn

The Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place on Thursday, January 23, seeking revenge for Saturday's 3-2 loss that snapped their three-game winning streak. That loss also came with a costly penalty, as captain Connor McDavid was suspended for three games.

The visiting Canucks aimed to capitalize on the Oilers' momentum loss, particularly after Edmonton's 2-3 defeat to the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals on Tuesday, their first game without McDavid.

However, the Oilers appeared determined to settle the score. By the end of the second period, they held a commanding 5-2 lead. The hosts dominated the first period, scoring three goals to take a 3-0 lead. Zach Hyman led the charge with two goals, while Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Adam Henrique and kasperi kapanen each contributed one goal, helping to secure a 6-2 victory.