Oilers Superstar Connor McDavid Attempts Rare Fight in Loss to Stars

The internet is split on McDavid's hand-to-hand combat skills after the scuffle.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:05pm

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Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid attempted to fight a Dallas Stars player during Thursday night's game, which the Oilers lost 7-2. While McDavid is known for his otherworldly hockey skills, this was reportedly the first time he's tried to fight someone. Opinions are divided on social media about McDavid's fighting abilities after the incident.

Why it matters

Connor McDavid is one of the NHL's biggest stars, known for his speed, skill, and scoring prowess. Seeing him attempt to fight is an unusual sight, as he is not known as an enforcer or physical player. This incident has sparked debate among fans about whether McDavid should focus on his elite hockey talents or try to add fighting to his repertoire.

The details

In the game against the Dallas Stars, the Oilers were trailing 5-2 through two periods when McDavid got into a scuffle with a Stars player. While McDavid is renowned for his skill, the author was unimpressed with his fighting abilities, describing it as a "classic scrum" that "got a little more heated than usual." Some fans on social media saw it as another reason McDavid is the "GOAT," while others didn't see what the hype was about.

  • The incident occurred during Thursday night's game between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars.

The players

Connor McDavid

The superstar forward for the Edmonton Oilers, known for his elite hockey skills including speed, vision, and scoring ability.

Dallas Stars

The NHL team that defeated the Edmonton Oilers 7-2 on Thursday night.

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What they’re saying

“I'm going to say something at the risk of upsetting a ton of Connor McDavid fanboys, but I came away from this bout wholly unimpressed.”

— The author

The takeaway

While Connor McDavid is known for his elite hockey skills, his attempt to fight a Dallas Stars player during Thursday's game has sparked debate about whether the superstar should focus on his strengths or try to add fighting to his repertoire. The incident has divided opinions among fans, with some seeing it as another reason McDavid is the "GOAT" and others unimpressed by his fighting abilities.