Cuylle's Hit on Guenther Leads to Fight with McBain
Will Cuylle received a boarding penalty for hitting Dylan Guenther from behind in the second period. Utah scored on the ensuing power play, and Jack McBain fought Cuylle early in the third. Guenther remained in the game and finished with 15:45 of ice time.
Will Cuylle's second-period hit on Dylan Guenther sent the Utah forward into the boards and put New York down four minutes for boarding and roughing. A scrum followed; MacKenzie Weegar received a roughing minor against Cuylle, while Mikhail Sergachev was called for cross-checking. Nick Schmaltz converted 28 seconds later, tying the score at 1-1. Guenther remained in the game and logged 15:45.
Jack McBain challenged Cuylle 63 seconds into the third, with both receiving five-minute fighting majors. Earlier, after Vladislav Gavrikov's first-period goal, Cuylle and Barrett Hayton got roughing minors in a center-ice scrum. New York eventually won 4-2, with Cuylle assisting on Eeli Tolvanen's empty-netter and totaling one point, one hit and 11 penalty minutes.
This incident may renew discussion among hockey audiences about player safety and on-ice accountability, especially for hits from behind. Players could face injury risks, while teams and officials may weigh discipline and deterrence. For fans, such moments can heighten emotional engagement and debate about fighting's role. The episode may also influence how minor-league and youth players interpret retaliation and self-protection, though responses vary by level and culture.