In a heated rivalry between the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings, Vincent Desharnais and Tanner Jeannot came face to face at Rogers Arena on Jan. 16, 2025. Following a late and dangerous hit on right wing Brock Boeser during a game on Nov. 7, 2024, Jeannot received a three-game suspension for an illegal check to the head. With both players known for their physicality and grit, the anticipated confrontation between Jeannot and Desharnais quickly saw both players drop their gloves, much to the delight of the fans in attendance.
Desharnais and Jeannot Trade Blows
In the early Nov. game, just after passing the puck, Jeannot delivered a blindside shoulder to Boeser's chin in the neutral zone, resulting in a concussion that impacted the Canuck forward for seven games. Boeser returned from injury on Nov. 26, 2024, resuming his place in the lineup. With the Canucks awaiting their next matchup against the Kings, Desharnais was eager for another opportunity to settle the score with Jeannot.
While it technically wasn't a fight, it was more of a brief altercation as Jeannot appeared disinterested. The Canadian team struggled as the Kings capitalized on Vancouver's depleted roster. A 5-1 loss ignited serious questions about the team's direction and a melancholy mood in the locker room. This loss marked a much-needed wake-up call for the team, though it also dealt a setback to their playoff hopes. In the 2023-24 season, the Canucks boasted a record of 50-23-9 and 109 points in 82 games. Meanwhile, the following season witnessed a significant decrease as the team's current standings are 20-15-10 in 45 games with 50 points, a striking contrast to their dominant performance the previous year.
Desharnais Retaliates against Jeannot Two Months Later
Per Sportsnet broadcasters, this "was predicted and this was expected," a sentiment echoed by Desharnais in the locker room to the media, who added, "The league did what they had to do. Next time we play them...next time we play them." This hinted at further confrontations between the two teams, as Desharnais retaliated against Jeannot two months later.
Kings Fined as NHL Safety Concerns Rise
While the NHL's Department of Player Safety has been issuing fines to Kings players for illegal hits—and while the Kings are also dealing with injuries of their own—these incidents have sparked growing tension across the professional league, raising concerns about player safety and adding tension to existing rivalries.