"Suspend him", "World class flop": NHL fans divided over Connor McDavid catches Marcus Johansson with an elbow

Connor McDavid is at the center of a debate after an incident with Marcus Johansson during Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Wild.

In the second period, with 40.6 seconds left, McDavid caught Johansson with an elbow. Both players were skating across the ice, and Johansson was bent down. McDavid, trying to make a U-turn, lifted his right arm and made contact. McDavid was looking in another direction and seemed unaware of Johansson’s position.

No penalty was called on the play, but the incident drew attention online. Specifically after Minnesota Wild's update on Johansson. They tweeted,

"Injury update: forward Marcus Johansson (upper body) will not return to tonight's game."

NHL insider Gino Hard shared a clip, tweeting:

"Connor McDavid got away with an elbow on Marcus Johansson 😳😬."

Fans joined in the comment section sharing thier mixed opinions.

"World class flop," a fan said, defending McDavid.

"Suspend him. Goon," one fan said, thinking that McDavid should have been penalized.

"Should be an embellishment call. Embarrassing from Johansson lol," another fan commented.

The league has not made any statement about the incident. Fans remain divided on whether further action is needed. Here are some more reactions on X:

"If that was anyone but McDavid, he would got a call for that chicken wing on Johansson. Not even a Wild fan, but that was 100% intentional by the replay and him leaning into it. Should be an interesting 3rd, so let’s see how much the refs protect him here. Head on a swivel #97," a fan wrote.

"*Marcus Johansson skates right into McDavid’s elbow for some reason and then gets taken out by a sniper," another fan wrote.

"Why is it that in basketball they can review practically every play that could yield a penalty or overturn one, but in hockey, they can’t review that obvious infraction?," a fan questioned.

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Connor McDavid and Oilers won 5-3 against the Wild

The Edmonton Oilers beat the Minnesota Wild 5-3 on Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Minnesota scored first with power-play goals by Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi for a 2-0 lead. Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid tied it 2-2 before the first period ended.

In the second period, Ryan Hartman scored for Minnesota, but Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tied it again at 3-3. Vasily Podkolzin put the Oilers ahead 4-3 early in the third period. Connor McDavid added an unassisted goal to secure the win.

McDavid led the Oilers with two goals and an assist. Edmonton outshot Minnesota 36-34 to earn their third straight win.