Oilers’ Darnell Nurse suspended one game for cross-checking
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Tuesday evening that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has been suspended one game for cross-checking Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield.
The incident occurred at 14:36 of the second period. Nurse was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for cross-checking. Kings head coach Jim Hiller did not have an update on Byfield’s status following the 5-0 road victory, per team reporter Zach Dooley.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Nurse will forfeit $48,177.08. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
#Oilers Darnell Nurse has been suspended 1 game @NHLPlayerSafety for his cross-check to the head of #LAKings Quinton Byfield.
He's eligible for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
This marks the fourth time Nurse has been suspended by the NHL Department of Player Safety. In March 2016, Nurse was suspended for three games following an altercation with former San Jose Sharks defenseman Roman Polak, while in May 2022, he was banned for one game after headbutting Kings center Phillip Danault, in May 2023, Nurse was automatically suspended for one game for instigating in the final five minutes of regulation.
Nurse has registered five goals and 28 assists for 33 points, coupled with a plus-11 rating and a team-leading 72 penalty minutes in 76 games. Nurse is in the third year of an eight-year pact that carries a $9.25-million annual average value.
Originally chosen seventh overall by the Oilers in the 2013 NHL Draft, Nurse has since totalled 716 career games in which he has tallied 81 goals and 219 assists for 300 points alongside 621 penalty minutes.
The Oilers will look to face off against the Kings in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.