"Can't do that "What a joke": NHL fans left divided as Timo Meier gets ejected for cross check hit on Predators' Zachary L'Heureux

Timo Meier’s ejection grabbed attention after the New Jersey Devils beat the Nashville Predators 5-2 on Monday. Meier was ejected in the third period after cross-checking Zachary L'Heureux in the face. The play started when L'Heureux shoved Meier, who responded with two cross-checks. The second cross-check hit L'Heureux high and caused him to bleed.

Earlier in the game, L'Heureux had hip-checked Paul Cotter, forcing him to leave the ice in pain. Meier, who had one assist and five shots in 13 minutes, has scored seven goals and 14 points in 23 games, averaging over 17 minutes per game this season.

Spittin' Chiclets shared the post on X (formerly Twitter):

"Timo Meier gets a 5 and the boot for this cross check on Zach L'Heureux"

Following this, NHL fans reacted on X. Some thought the penalty was too harsh.

"thats a 4 min penalty. not a 5 and a game what a joke," one fan wrote.

"You can't do that," a fan commented.

"5 and a game for THAT???????? Holy f**king soft," a fan wrote.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X.

"As a devils fan I’m just glad the boys have some fight in them this season. F em," a fan said.

"League is run by liberals," a fan commented.

"Disgusting! Suspend him 10 games!," one user supported the decision.

New Jersey Devils and Timo Meier defeated the Capitals 3-2 in the previous game

Previously, Tomas Tatar helped the New Jersey Devils defeat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Saturday at Capital One Arena. Tatar contributed a goal and an assist, while Jake Allen made 23 saves, earning his 200th NHL win.

Brenden Dillon and Dougie Hamilton also scored for the Devils, who have now won five of their last seven games.

“Didn’t love a lot about our game, quite honestly,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said (via NHL.com). “But I thought we played smart enough defensively to limit a lot of what their strengths are defensively. Because of that we only need three [goals].”

Matt Roy scored first for the Capitals in the opening period, marking his first goal since joining the team. Tatar tied the game on a power play after Erik Haula’s shot stopped near the goal line. In the second period, Dillon’s deflected shot gave the Devils a 2-1 lead, followed by Hamilton’s power-play goal to make it 3-1.

Connor McMichael brought the Capitals closer with a third-period power-play goal, narrowing the score to 3-2. Jake Allen made key saves in the final minutes, while Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer blocked shots to secure the win.

Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren made 30 saves but said missed chances hurt the team. This was Washington’s first back-to-back loss this season. The Devils will next face the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 27th at 7:00 PM EST.