Connor McDavid at the center of a spirited fight

Connor McDavid might be the NHL’s most electrifying player, but on Tuesday night, it was his teammate who brought the fireworks. It came after a big hit from Toronto Maple Leafs’ Brandon Carlo in the neutral zone that took a chunk out of McDavid.

Enter Darnell Nurse. The Edmonton Oilers defenseman didn’t hesitate. He squared off with Carlo in a spirited bout that had fans on the edge of their seats. Punches flew, bodies swayed, and while not every shot landed cleanly, Nurse made a statement: you don’t take a run at McDavid without someone stepping up.

Oilers fans weren’t shy with their opinions. Many criticized Trent Frederic, who skated past Carlo without engaging. Nurse’s immediate response, on the other hand, earned cheers from the home crowd, proving once again the value of standing up for your captain.

The scuffle was a reminder that hockey still has moments of raw physicality and loyalty. It wasn’t about who won the fight: it was about showing heart, protecting teammates, and keeping McDavid safe on the ice.

Watch the full fight here:

For fans, moments like these are pure hockey gold. Big punches, even if they don’t all land, and players like Nurse willing to throw down for their teammates? That’s the kind of intensity that makes the NHL so compelling.