Edmonton Oilers Captain Connor McDavid Decries Dangerous Net Crashes After Collision With Anaheim Ducks Defenceman Drew Helleson
Connor McDavid being driven into the goalpost by Anaheim defenceman Drew Helleson sparked a teammate’s on-ice response and comments from the Edmonton Oilers captain regarding player safety around the net. According to the Edmonton Journal, teammate Vasily Podkolzin quickly stepped in to deliver a beating to Anaheim Ducks defenceman Drew Helleson after Helleson rammed McDavid hard into the net during a thrilling 5-4 Ducks victory.
The incident occurred midway through the opening period when McDavid rushed the net from the right side. Helleson’s defensive challenge drove the superstar forward directly into the far post at high velocity. McDavid remained down on the ice for several moments to take inventory before rising to confront Helleson verbally. Winger Vasily Podkolzin immediately intervened, landing several hard right hands on Helleson before officials broke up the altercation, assessing Podkolzin a five-minute major and a game ejection.
McDavid Recalls Prior Major Injuries Driven Into Nets and End Walls
Speaking to reporters after the game, McDavid did not hide his frustration regarding the mechanics of the play, noting that collisions into the net carry historical significance for his career health. McDavid referenced his rookie season when Philadelphia’s Brandon Manning drove him into the end boards, resulting in a broken collarbone. He also pointed to the final game of the 2018-19 season when Calgary Flames defenceman Mark Giordano took him down on a net drive, causing a severe left knee tear that required a full summer of rehabilitation.
“Those type of plays I find to be dangerous. Obviously, I didn’t love it,” McDavid told reporters. “When you’re going Mach 1 into the end wall or into the net, you know, those are dangerous plays in my opinion, and a situation that I find myself a lot in.”
McDavid explicitly compared the safety protocols surrounding the end boards to those around the goal frame, advocating for stricter preventative measures. “I wish that we treated the net like we treat the end wall,” McDavid said. “If I do that to him, go Mach 1 into the end wall it’s a five-game suspension and everything like that. The net is just as dangerous in my opinion. With the goalie there, the post there, it’s just as dangerous.”
Teammate Response Draws Praise Despite Disputed Referee Ruling
While the Oilers ultimately fell short on the scoreboard—surrendering a late rally despite a short-handed goal and three assists from McDavid, along with Leon Draisaitl’s 14th goal of the season—the locker-room reaction to the hit was unified. McDavid defended both his own emotional reaction and Podkolzin’s physical intervention, expressing strong disagreement with the officiating decision that singled out his teammate with a game ejection.
"When that comes out, it can rattle a game up, and obviously I appreciated the response from Podzy." It was a physical game right from the hop, but the #Oilers ultimately dropped a 5-4 decision to the Ducks on Thursday. @paigymartin has your recap.@CIBC | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/XL3x5WrzOu
“I think people have me pegged as some type of robot, but I’ve got feelings and emotions too and when that comes out, it can rile a game up,” McDavid remarked. “And obviously I appreciated the response from Podzy. As I said, I thought it was an unfortunate call. Didn’t like the call really one bit.”
Despite the physical cost and the narrow defeat that left the Oilers searching for defensive consistency, McDavid extended his scoring streak to 17 games, maintaining an elite offensive pace as the regular season grinds forward.
Game Context and Roster Notes
McDavid played 24:25 in the narrow loss after briefly departing the bench, extending his point streak and bringing his season totals to 10 goals and 34 assists for 44 points in 17 games, giving him more assists than anyone else in the NHL has points. Edmonton had trailed 5-2 with 3:36 left in regulation before launching a late rally with goals from Kasperi Kapanen at 16:24 and Leon Draisaitl at 19:16.
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