DeBoer’s Comments on McDavid Set Dangerous Tone for Game 3

Peter DeBoer might not have said much when asked about the slash that sidelined Roope Hintz in Game 2, but what he did say is the kind of thing that sets a dangerous tone for Sunday’s upcoming matinee clash. The Dallas Stars’ head coach posed a sarcastic rhetorical question that immediately raised eyebrows after the Dallas Stars lost 3-0 to the Edmonton Oilers:

“Does anyone in this room think if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that, it’s not a five-minute major?… If that’s 97 carried off the ice in the same situation, I think we all know the answer.”

On the surface, it looked like a head coach defending his player after a disappointing loss and a missed opportunity on a controversial call. Behind the comments could be something a lot more calculated—a clear attempt to influence the officiating narrative heading into Game 3 or a way to put a target on the back of the best player in the world.

Was the Darnell Nurse Slash a Major Penalty?

The incident in question came when Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse slashed Hintz, who needed help off the ice. Initially called a major, the penalty was reduced to a minor after review. According to Rule 61.3 in the NHL rulebook, when an injury occurs from a slash, a major must be assessed if the severity of the contact justifies it. The officials determined Nurse’s slash didn’t meet that standard or seriousness.

Still, DeBoer said what he said for a reason. He either doesn’t agree with the rule, he truly believes the referees would have made a different call if a different player were involved, or he’s trying to get some measure of control heading into Game 3. One could argue he was using his postgame media time to push the narrative that there’s a double standard for Connor McDavid, and he wants the next set of officials to “even things out.”

There Is An Issue With What DeBoer Is Doing

While DeBoer may genuinely feel the call was wrong, if he’s trying to plant a seed for Game 3, his strategy raises real concerns.

It’s reasonable to assume coaches would look for any way to gain an edge, but what happens if one of their players slashes McDavid in Game 3? Based on DeBoer’s understanding of the rule, that will be an automatic major if McDavid is injured. In a way, DeBoer essentially made it known he expects that kind of call if his guys hack and whack the best player in the world, and he’s hurt as a result.