Golden Knights' Brayden McNabb Handed Suspension

The Vegas Golden Knights have managed to get by without a top-line forward in Mark Stone the past couple of games. Now they'll have to go into Game 6 of their series with the Anaheim Ducks without a top-four defenseman in Brayden McNabb. He's been suspended by the NHL for one game for driving Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Poehling into the boards, with the puck nowhere near him.

Brayden McNabb has been SUSPENDED for Game 6 as a result of this hit on Ryan Poehling during Game 5 pic.twitter.com/TX2qi1BDxb

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 13, 2026

NHL Player Safety has ruled that the interference penalty that left him with a five-minute major and a game misconduct will also now cost him a game. 

"It is important to note that in no way is Poehling eligible to be checked on this play," DoPS said in its ruling. "With the puck having long bean cleared away from Poehling, and with sufficient time to elect to avoid contact, McNabb instead finishes the hit with considerable force."

Poehling was dazed and confused after the hit, and he has a history of concussion issues in the past, making it even worse. He is currently undergoing further evaluation for a head injury suffered on this play. 

Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said, “He’s out, and we don’t know how long it’s going to be.”

McNabb did have a clean discipline history in his 14-year career, thus resulting in a one-game suspension.

Game 6 is Thursday night. It's not yet been determined if Stone will return to the Vegas lineup, but they will indeed be without McNabb.