Monday was a tough night at the office for the Edmonton Oilers, as they were thumped 5-0 by the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Place. As a result, they lost out on home-ice advantage for the first round playoff series between the two divisional rivals, with the Kings also having won three of the four meetings with the Oilers this season.
However, this might not end up being the worst news to come from the game, with Darnell Nurse now having a potential suspension looming over him. The question is whether or not he will just miss the Oilers' regular season finale against the San Jose Sharks, or also one or two games at the beginning of the playoffs versus the Kings?
The reason the Oilers are in this situation is because of an unnecessary cheap shot by Nurse to the back of the head of Kings' forward Quinton Byfield, who never returned to the ice. The incident happened at the 14:36 mark of the second period, with Nurse receiving a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct.
Oilers nervously awaiting the outcome of Darnell Nurse's hearing
As per NHL.com, Nurse will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday evening. While cross-checking is being considered as the grounds for any additional discipline, the Department of Player Safety has the authority to make adjustments to the infraction as they see fit.
The Oilers are already in a world of hurt -- almost literally -- when it comes to their corps of defencemen, highlighted by Mattias Ekholm being out for the first round of the playoffs and his season potentially over altogether. In addition, John Klingberg, Troy Stecher and Trent Frederic are all anticipated to miss Game One against the Kings.
Pending the decision of the NHL Department of Player Safety, this would be the third time Nurse is suspended in the playoffs. As per Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Journal, the 2013 seventh overall draft pick missed Game Five against the Kings in 2022 due to a headbutt, as well as Game Five versus the Vegas Golden Knights the following season, for instigating a fight.
Following a nightmare 2023-24 for Nurse -- particularly in the playoffs -- when he was made a scapegoat by fans, he rebounded with an excellent campaign this season. However, if he has to miss any playoff time through suspension and the team is subsequently knocked out in the first round, he may well once again be on the receiving end of some brutal criticism from those who follow the Oilers.
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