--- title: "McNabb ejected, Poehling injured as Knights' Game 5 unravels" description: "Vegas defenseman tossed for high hit; Ducks forward leaves with injury. Discipline looms." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/golden-knights-mcnabb-ejected-after-hit-injures-ducks-poeh-mp3j70l8 published: 2026-05-13T03:25:55+00:00 updated: 2026-05-13T07:58:55.727+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # McNabb ejected, Poehling injured as Knights' Game 5 unravels > Vegas defenseman tossed for high hit; Ducks forward leaves with injury. Discipline looms. Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb was ejected just minutes into Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks after a high hit that injured Ducks forward Ryan Poehling. The hit, which appeared to catch Poehling in the head area, drew an immediate major penalty and game misconduct, leaving the Knights shorthanded on the blue line for nearly the entire contest. Poehling did not return to the game, and his status for the remainder of the series is uncertain. The ejection came early in the first period, forcing Vegas to scramble its defensive pairings and lean heavily on its remaining five blueliners. The Knights already entered the series with a thin blue line, and losing McNabb—a physical, shutdown defender—for the bulk of Game 5 tilted ice time and matchups in Anaheim's favor. The Ducks capitalized on the power play that followed the hit, scoring a crucial goal that shifted momentum. The incident carries significant implications beyond Game 5. The NHL's Department of Player Safety will almost certainly review the hit for potential supplemental discipline. A suspension to McNabb would further deplete Vegas's defensive corps for a pivotal Game 6, potentially altering the trajectory of a tightly contested series. For Anaheim, Poehling's injury removes a young, energetic forward from a lineup already battling depth issues. McNabb's prior suspension for an illegal check to the head in 2018 casts a long shadow over this incident. The NHL's Department of Player Safety operates with a clear mandate to protect players, particularly from head injuries, and repeat offenders often face harsher penalties. This history means McNabb enters the disciplinary review process with a precedent against him, increasing the likelihood of supplemental discipline beyond the automatic game misconduct. The league's decision will not only address this specific hit but also reinforce its commitment to player safety, especially in the high-stakes environment of playoff hockey. The timing of this incident, in a pivotal Game 5 with the series tied 1-1, amplifies its strategic impact. McNabb is a cornerstone of the Golden Knights' physical defense, a player relied upon for tough matchups and penalty killing. His absence, whether for the remainder of Game 5 or potentially Game 6, forces Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy to reconfigure defensive pairings, potentially exposing less experienced players to critical situations. For Anaheim, while Poehling's injury is a blow to their forward depth, the immediate advantage of a major power play and the potential for a shorthanded Vegas blue line in future games could be a decisive factor in a series defined by tight margins. McNabb's history adds context. The 33-year-old has been suspended once before in his career, a one-game ban in 2018 for an illegal check to the head. That prior infraction could weigh on Player Safety's decision, especially given the visible injury to Poehling. Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy declined to comment on the hit postgame, saying only that the team would "let the league handle it." Anaheim's bench, meanwhile, was visibly frustrated, with several Ducks players pointing at McNabb as he left the ice. What's next: The NHL's Player Safety committee is expected to review the hit within 24 hours. A decision on a potential fine or suspension for McNabb—and an update on Poehling's condition—could come as early as Tuesday. ## Why this matters A key veteran defender ejected in a playoff game, plus a potential injury to a young Ducks forward, shifts the momentum and roster balance of a tight first-round series. The NHL's Department of Player Safety will likely review the hit, which could lead to a suspension that further impacts Vegas's defensive depth. This single play could decide who advances. ## Frequently asked ### What penalty did Brayden McNabb receive? McNabb was assessed a major penalty for an illegal check to the head and a game misconduct, resulting in his ejection from Game 5. ### Did Ryan Poehling return to the game? No. Poehling left the game immediately after the hit and did not return. His status for the remainder of the series is unknown. ### Could McNabb face a suspension? Yes. The NHL Department of Player Safety will review the hit. Given the head contact and injury, a suspension is possible, which would sideline McNabb for future games. ### How does this affect the series? Vegas loses a top-four defenseman for most of Game 5 and potentially Game 6. Anaheim gains a power-play goal and momentum, while losing a forward to injury. ## Sources & Citations - [Golden Knights' McNabb ejected after hit injures Ducks' Poehling](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/golden-knights-mcnabb-ejected-after-hit-injures-ducks-poehling/) — TheNewsAPI.com (2026-05-13) --- Cite: McNabb ejected, Poehling injured as Knights' Game 5 unravels. Sportopod, 2026-05-13. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/golden-knights-mcnabb-ejected-after-hit-injures-ducks-poeh-mp3j70l8