Falling Short: Identifying the Oilers Responsible for the Disappointing Second Round Exit

D Darnell Nurse

Since signing his massive contract extension, defenseman Darnell Nurse has faced intense scrutiny over his performance. While it is fair to acknowledge that the front office shares responsibility for the overpay, Nurse needs to demonstrate his worth on the ice. Unfortunately, his performance in the early playoff exit of the Oilers once again places him in the spotlight as a contributing factor to the team’s shortcomings.

Nurse’s defensive pairing with Cody Ceci proved to be a weak point in their own zone. Both defensemen were frequently on the ice for pivotal goals allowed by the Oilers against teams like the LA Kings and Vegas Golden Knights. This inability to effectively defend and prevent crucial goals is a significant concern for Nurse, especially considering his elevated role and salary expectations.

The lack of defensive support for rookie goaltender Skinner was frustrating to watch, with Nurse failing to provide the necessary stability and protection in front of the net. In Game 6 against the Golden Knights, Nurse finished with a -3 plus/minus rating and failed to contribute any points to the team’s offence. Furthermore, his unnecessary suspension in Game 5 due to a fight in the closing seconds of Game 4 only compounded his underwhelming playoff performance.

Throughout the playoffs, Nurse managed only four points and finished with a -2 rating. These numbers fall well short of what is expected from a defenseman of his calibre, especially in a high-pressure playoff environment. While it is worth noting that Nurse played through injuries in last year’s playoffs, he cannot rely on that excuse this year.