In the latest NHL update, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has been suspended for one game after a cross-checking incident involving Los Angeles Kings player Quinton Byfield. The suspension was announced on Tuesday night, just before the Oilers’ final regular-season game.
What Happened During the Game
On Monday, the Oilers played against the Kings. The Kings were already leading 4-0 in the second period when the incident happened. Near the Oilers’ goal, Darnell Nurse grabbed Byfield and took him down to the ice. According to the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, Nurse then pulled back his stick and forcefully cross-checked Byfield on the head while he was on the ice. This happened after the play had already ended.
Because of this move, Nurse received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. Quinton Byfield had to leave the game and didn’t return. The Kings ended up winning the match 5-0.
Why the Suspension Was Only One Game
The NHL explained that although the cross-check hit Byfield in the head, it wasn’t done with extreme force. That’s why the suspension wasn’t longer. Still, the league considered Nurse’s past behavior. He has already been suspended three times and fined once in his career.
Some of his past suspensions include a one-game ban in May 2023 for starting a fight in the last minutes of a game against Vegas, and another one-game ban in 2022 for head-butting Kings player Phillip Danault. Back in 2016, he was suspended for three games for being the aggressor in a fight with Roman Polak from the San Jose Sharks.
Impact on the Oilers and Nurse
Because of this suspension, Darnell Nurse will miss the Oilers’ final regular season game against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night. However, he will be allowed to return for Game 1 of the playoff series, which will be again against the Kings.
Nurse will also lose $48,177.08 in salary due to this suspension. The money will go to the NHL’s Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. He ends the regular season with 5 goals, 28 assists, 33 points, and an average of over 22 minutes played per game in 76 matches.
Reactions from Both Teams
During the second intermission of Monday’s game, Phillip Danault of the Kings criticized the Oilers, saying it felt like they sent in their “B team” just to try and injure players, especially since top stars like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Mattias Ekholm were not playing.
In response, Oilers forward Corey Perry strongly disagreed. After the game, when asked about Danault’s comments, Perry said, “What the f—? Did he not look at what’s happened over the last couple weeks? Like, what do you want us to do? We’re not out there to hurt anybody.”
Looking Ahead: A Familiar Rivalry
The Oilers and Kings will face each other in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. While the Oilers have won all three previous playoff series, this time the Kings will have the advantage of playing more games at home. With emotions already high, this playoff round promises to be intense and possibly heated.
This one-game suspension for Nurse adds more drama to what is already a fierce rivalry. Fans are now waiting eagerly to see how this rivalry plays out again when the playoffs begin.
Darnell Nurse’s suspension highlights how the NHL continues to monitor dangerous plays, even if they are not done with full force. With both teams gearing up for another playoff battle, tensions are clearly running high. While Nurse will be back for Game 1, his actions have added more fire to an already heated rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings. Fans should expect a tough and emotional playoff series between these two strong teams.
