Playoff suspension hits Vegas in heated series vs. Ducks!

The NHL has officially suspended Brayden McNabb for one playoff game following his frightening hit on Ryan Poehling during Game 5 between the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks.

The league announced Friday that McNabb was suspended for interference after delivering a violent blindside collision on Poehling, who was nowhere near the puck at the moment of contact.

The play immediately sparked outrage across social media and among analysts watching the game live. McNabb stepped directly into Poehling with a heavy hit that sent the Ducks forward crashing violently into the glass. Officials assessed McNabb a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct on the play.

The aftermath of the collision quickly became even more concerning. Poehling struggled badly while attempting to get back to his feet and appeared visibly dazed, with many viewers believing he may have briefly lost consciousness following the impact. Anaheim later confirmed that Poehling is now out indefinitely.

Despite the NHL handing down supplemental discipline, many fans and pundits were left furious that the suspension was limited to just one game given both the severity of the hit and Poehling’s condition afterward.

The incident has now added another layer of tension to what was already becoming an increasingly heated playoff series between Vegas and Anaheim.

McNabb will now miss a crucial game for the Golden Knights, while questions continue to swirl around whether the NHL did enough in response to one of the most dangerous hits of the postseason so far.