Kreider's uncalled hit on Draisaitl ignites fury over NHL officiating in Oilers-Ducks series

Key facts

• Chris Kreider hit Leon Draisaitl from behind with 2:40 left in the second period of Game 5.
• Officials Eric Furlatt and Kendrick Nicholson did not call a penalty on the play.
• Draisaitl leads the Oilers in points this series and recently returned from a 14-game knee injury.
• Edmonton led 4-1 at the time of the hit and won the game; Draisaitl finished with 2 goals.
• The same referee pair faced criticism for a controversial overtime goal in Game 4.
• Fans compared the non-call to a similar hit by Mikko Rantanen that drew disciplinary action.
• The 2026 Western Conference First Round series is between the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks.
• Draisaitl stayed in the game after the hit and continued to drive Edmonton's top line.

A second-period hit that went uncalled

With 2 minutes and 40 seconds remaining in the second period of Game 5, Chris Kreider of the Anaheim Ducks drove Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl squarely into the boards from behind. Both referees, Eric Furlatt and Kendrick Nicholson, had an unobstructed view of the play. No whistle sounded. The non-call immediately drew outrage from fans and analysts alike. Mark Spector, a prominent hockey commentator, bluntly described it as the kind of hit the league still permits in 2026 despite its stated commitment to protecting star players. Josh Yohe echoed the sentiment with a terse reaction: "Right in front of the ref. Come on."

Draisaitl's resilience and the Oilers' lead

Despite the force of the hit, Draisaitl remained in the game and continued to anchor Edmonton's top line. He finished the night with two goals, including a power-play tally assisted by Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard. The Oilers had built a 4-1 lead by the time of the incident, with first-period goals from Vasily Podkolzin, Zach Hyman, and Draisaitl setting the tone. Draisaitl is Edmonton's leading forward in points this series and recently returned from a knee injury that sidelined him for 14 regular-season games. Had the hit caused a more serious injury, it could have dealt a devastating blow to the Oilers' playoff hopes.

A pattern of controversial calls by the same officials

The missed boarding call is not the first controversy involving Furlatt and Nicholson in this series. In Game 4, the pair were at the center of an overtime goal-line dispute, with fans and analysts questioning whether the puck fully crossed the line. One fan on X referenced that incident, writing: "Can see the puck cross the line by a mm, but can’t see boarding right in front of their f’n faces. Clown show officiating." The cumulative effect has eroded trust in the officiating. By the end of Game 5, some fans were calling for both referees to be removed from the remainder of the playoffs.

Fan fury and comparisons to past discipline

Social media erupted within minutes of the hit. One fan posted a clip of the play on X, calling it a "ruthless hit." Another wrote: "That hit could take an elite player out for the season or worse. Refs are horrible. Dont care who it is. Do better." A third comment noted: "That’s blatantly a hit from behind. You have to call that, or it’s going to get real chippy in this series." Several fans drew a direct comparison to a similar hit by Mikko Rantanen that resulted in disciplinary action from the NHL. The discrepancy fueled accusations of a double standard in how the league handles player safety. One fan wrote: "Then looks for the call right after, pure guilt, and ref?? ‘All good, dude, play on!’"

The broader context of NHL officiating and player safety

The incident underscores a persistent tension in the NHL: the league publicly emphasizes protecting star players, yet on-ice enforcement often falls short. Draisaitl is not just any player; he is a cornerstone of the Oilers and one of the league's elite forwards. A hit that could have sidelined him for an extended period would have altered the trajectory of the series and potentially the playoffs. The lack of a call also raises questions about the accountability of officials. With the same referees involved in multiple controversial decisions, the league faces mounting pressure to address consistency in rule enforcement. As one fan put it, "Edmonton has to put an end to this by taking some very healthy runs at Carlson, Terry Gauthier, and Sennecke. Gauthier and Carlson, if I had it my way. Dirty if it has to be. This is getting ridiculous."

What comes next for the series and the league

The Oilers hold a 3-2 series lead after winning Game 5, but the fallout from the missed call could linger. If the NHL's Department of Player Safety reviews the hit, it may issue a fine or suspension, though no announcement has been made. The league's response will be closely watched as a signal of its commitment to player safety. For now, the focus returns to the ice. Game 6 is set to be played in Anaheim, where the Ducks will face elimination. The officiating crew for that game has not been announced, but the controversy surrounding Furlatt and Nicholson ensures that every call will be scrutinized. As one fan concluded: "This is getting ridiculous."

The bottom line

• Chris Kreider's uncalled boarding of Leon Draisaitl in Game 5 has intensified scrutiny of NHL officiating.
• Referees Eric Furlatt and Kendrick Nicholson have been involved in multiple controversial calls this series.
• Draisaitl, Edmonton's leading scorer, avoided injury and scored twice, but the hit could have been season-ending.
• Fans and analysts are demanding consistency in player safety enforcement, citing a similar hit by Mikko Rantanen that drew discipline.
• The Oilers lead the series 3-2, with Game 6 in Anaheim; the league's response to the hit remains pending.
• The incident highlights a broader disconnect between the NHL's stated priorities and on-ice officiating.