NHL 2026 fights: Which major clashes across teams are dominating league games this season?

The NHL season of 2025-26 has become one of the most violent in recent history, as fights and heavy hits have become one of the main topics of conversation throughout the games. What was previously a periodic aggression has now become a regular element par the course, with tensions often exploding between rival teams.

Whether it be from games of high stakes to emotionally driven battles, players throughout the league are having to scrum and altercate with each other more often. These are not merely moments that are determining the outcomes of NHL matches, but are also ones that are shaping the tactics that a team is adopting in the physical play as the season advances.

NHL 2026 fights across teams are dominating league games this season

Among some of the most notable incidents was the boarding by Nikita Zadorov of the Vancouver Canucks of John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs that escalated into a heated battle. It was further worsened by the entry of Jagger Joshua, which led to a fight, which is a significant discussion in the recent update of the NHL.

The other major confrontation occurred when the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars were playing. An ugly confrontation occurred between Connor McDavid and Trent Frederic, which resulted in a full team scrum. The incident was not only the most intense but also, given that McDavid is a player who is more attributed to his skills rather than physical fights.

There have also been retaliation fights that have been imminent during the season. Another prominent incident was the one that involved Nick Foligno and Scott Sabourin, who swung their fists at each other after Foligno delivered a hard punch to Quinn Hughes. These incidents indicate the unspoken rules of hockey, whereby players tend to retaliate physically to defend their fellow players and create a balance on the field.

The skaters themselves, but even goaltenders, have at times found themselves in the fray, abandoning their crease and joining the scrum in games in February and March. These are dramatic but very few moments inserted into the ever-expanding list of physical encounters of the season.

These fights are a constant in the NHL season, with momentum and mindset across teams having been shaped by them as the season progresses. Each time there is a collision, the league name this year is being determined by violence, competition, and the increase in rough play.

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