As expected, the Edmonton Oilers will be without star defenseman Darnell Nurse when they try to stay alive tomorrow night. The Department of Player Safety has announced a one-game suspension following last night’s head-butting incident, ruling Nurse out for game six. As the accompanying video explains:
It is important to note that this is not an accidental collision that occurs when two players are moving at speed and heads collide when attempting to throw a legal body check. This is an unacceptable head-butt delivered with the top of the helmet, delivered with the top of the helmet directly to an opponent’s face, with force.
The DoPS also handed out a $5,000 fine to his Oilers’ teammate Zack Kassian, for the cross-check he delivered on Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Durzi last night.
For Nurse, it is a brutal decision that will leave his team shorthanded in the most important game of the season. The incident occurred late in the second period with the Kings on the powerplay, and was not penalized by the on-ice officials. As the league notes, there is no significant history of this behavior from the Oilers defenseman (at least in terms of supplementary discipline) as he has just one previous suspension–a three-game ban for serving as the aggressor in a 2016 fight.
There was also no injury on the play for Phillip Danault, who would go on to score in the third period and finish the game. Those factors will at least keep Nurse available for a game seven, should the series reach that.
It was actually Kassian’s cross-check that put the Oilers on the penalty kill in the first place, as he delivered a hard shot to the back of Durzi after the Kings’ defenseman was hit by Evander Kane. As Kane and Blake Lizotte engaged and received matching roughing penalties, Kassian cross-checked Durzi and took his own two-minute minor. Luckily, at least for the Oilers, it will only cost Kassian some money and not a chance to play in game six when they will need all hands on deck to avoid a disappointing series result.
In a related move, Edmonton recalled Philip Broberg from Bakersfield of the AHL. He played in 23 games with the Oilers during the regular season and could be an option to take Nurse’s place in the lineup.
Not sure about the fine that high. Durzi played the power play.
Oilers are their own worst enemy. They fall apart whenever they face any adversity. Kassian has to go this summer. The guy is an overpaid bum who puts in no effort.
Barring a buyout, how many of those have the Oilers got already?
What would it cost to get rid of his contract? A first? As I believe he has 2 more yrs at 3.2m!!
He’s not even worth the .2m and that’s only 1/3 of a minimum salary!
I said :30 after Holland gave him that contract that it will be regrettable before it actually starts! Lol
Kassian’s “contribution” was a bit of “so-what”, but Kane looked like he wanted to go knee-on-knee, but missed on the high side. The Oilers may have almost all hands on deck for Game 6, but they’ll be well-equipped with snowshoes for the game, and a full set of clubs for the golf course afterward. And, NO carts, either!
Oil is dust
Bush league oilers
Have to disagree that “luckily” Kassian wasn’t suspended. It would have lucky for the Oilers if he were, because he actively makes them a worse team.
The Kings are driving the Oilers to madness.
I’m not so much a Kings fan as I am a fan of anyone that beats up on the Oilers, crush them and send them home. I’m tired of watching the self righteous, entitled, whiners cheap shot their way through games.
Watched the whole game. Oilers should have been penalized a few times that the refs didn’t catch. Kane is simply a dirty player, they should be embarrassed that they stopped that low to sign him after all his previous issues.
What’s the over/under for months til McDavid requests a trade?
Yawn. This has been said since he was drafted.
How long until Ovechkin demands to be traded? No way a guy with such allegiance to Russia stays in America’s capitol.