D Darnell Nurse
It’s understandable why Darnell Nurse has been making lists of top underperforming defensemen, as he has been close to a non-factor in the playoffs. In the first round, Nurse only managed to get 3 assists across six games, that is simply not enough production from a top 4 defenseman who is playing heavy minutes for the Oilers.
Nurse has to use his strong skating ability, physicality and offensive instincts to make him a more valuable asset on both ends of the ice. He has to play at a high level and contribute both offensively and defensively, as it will be a significant factor in the Oiler’s success in the playoffs. It’s important to note that hockey is a team sport, and the Oilers will need all of their players to step up and contribute in order to achieve sustained success in the playoffs.
If Nurse cannot contribute as a scorer, every Oiler fan begs him to not miss any of his defensive assignments, as any mental defensive lapse in the playoffs will cause the team in that game and maybe the series. For a player pegged by the team to be a cornerstone defenseman, Nurse has to be able to minimize his mistakes in their own end if the team wishes to move forward to the Western Conference Finals.