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‘This hit on Draisaitl needs to be answered’: Oilers fans react to Kreider’s dangerous hit
Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl
Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Woz
By Woz
Apr 29, 2026, 03:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 29, 2026, 03:47 EDT
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As the Edmonton Oilers forced a Game 6 and kept their season alive on Tuesday night with their 4-1 win over the Anahiem Ducks, fans were left with just another questionable decision from the officials.
In this one, there was no decision favourable for the fans when Chris Kreider laid a hit on Leon Draisaitl from behind, sending him into the boards in the second period.
After that hit, it would spark even more complaints about the referees in this series on social media.
It’s absolutely pathetic that none of the oilers took care of business on this one. They’re lucky to even be in the playoffs, and this hit on Draisaitl needs to be answered.. – Shane Holowachuk via X
You spelled “illegal … unless, of course it’s an NHL referee trying to manage a game” incorrectly. Easy mistake to make. – The Soup Yahtzee via X
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. – Eva Wisniewski via X
Rantanen got suspended for this and Kreider gets…. nothing? – grd0x via X
That hit could take an elite player out for the season or worse. Refs are horrible. Dont care who it is. Do better. – AB Farmer via X
Right in front of the ref. Come on.- Josh Yohe via X
this makes me sick thinking about how leon could’ve been seriously hurt and the refs didn’t give a f**k. – Nuggyyybabyy via X
THE most dangerous hit in SPORTS!
If Draisatl wasnt a TANK…this wreckless intentional boarding coukd have been life-altering. This hit that will eventually cause a tragedy one day, League needs to recondition this out of the game. NHL let this s**t out of the bag in 2025-26. – Zavid Lynch via X
Shane makes a strong point. No one stood up for Leon Draisaitl, but the Oilers seemed more focused on taking fewer penalties — a trend that’s made them pay dearly throughout this series, with the Oilers’ penalty kill being put to work multiple times and failing against the Ducks.
In this situation, fans would’ve been more than happy if Kreider experienced justice in one way or another after that ruthless hit.
Ekholm needed to step up and fight there, and at least cross-check Kreider. Good on Hyman right after for checking the Ducks player hard after going after Ingram. – Neil8383 via Instagram
No penalty is insane, a 5-minute major if it’s the other way around. Andrewyurkiw via Instagram
Hate to say it, but this is when you send a guy out to take a player/goalie out of the playoffs for good. Eye for an eye, LaCombe would be gone if I were the coach. – Brodycross_ via Instagram
This was boarding. No Doubt about it. Shocked this wasn’t called. Especially after a few of the softies earlier in the game. – Brody Laxton via X
The NHL has zero interest in protecting its stars during the games that matter most. This may be unpopular, but I’ll die on the hill that the NHL playoffs being officiated completely differently than the regular season – making them favor physicality over skill – is ludicrous. – Kelsey Surmacz via X
Oilers fans have every right to be upset. We’ve seen hits like that in the past throughout the NHL, with players seriously injured. Fortunately, Leon Draisaitl is a warrior, got up and battled through. When it comes to the hits department, the Oilers did outmuscle the Ducks with 44 hits to 40.
At the end of the night, it was Edmonton who won on the scoreboard, proving that this Ducks team is beatable by a wide margin. The 4-1 victory has forced a Game 6, and the Edmonton Oilers will have another chance to keep their season alive on Thursday night in Anaheim.

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