The Canadiens hadn’t played since March 20 because of the league’s coronavirus protocols, but they were fresh and dominated the Oilers. In the second period, McDavid had a goal disallowed after the Oilers were ruled offside. Still, some argued McDavid went too far or suggested that the N.H.L. department of player safety had sometimes failed to apply standards and discipline consistently. Many argued a less prominent player committing the same hit would have earned harsher in-game discipline and even a suspension.

Source: New York Times March 31, 2021 11:59 UTC