Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) handles the puck while being defended by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence (21) during the third period of an NHL game in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
In a surprising turn of events, Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse has been handed a one-game suspension by the NHL following a cross-checking incident during a game against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety made the announcement late Tuesday.
The incident took place during the second period of the game at 14:36. Nurse was penalized with a major penalty and ejected from the game after hitting Kings forward Quinton Byfield with a cross-check. This action resulted in a game misconduct penalty, leaving Nurse unable to play in the Oilers' final regular-season game against the San Jose Sharks.
As a consequence of the suspension, Nurse will forfeit $48,177.08 based on his average salary, with the amount going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. The hit left Byfield with an upper-body injury, and he did not return to the game. The Kings confirmed he would not play in Tuesday's game against Seattle either, though there was no further update on his condition from coach Jim Hiller.
The altercation occurred after a whistle, as Nurse and Byfield got tangled up. Nurse placed Byfield in a headlock, took him down, and struck him on the back of the helmet with his stick. After a review of the incident, officials decided to eject Nurse from the game.
This suspension marks the third for Nurse in his career. He has previously faced penalties for similar aggressive actions. In 2016, he received a three-game suspension for initiating a fight. In 2022, he was suspended for one game for head-butting Kings center Phillip Danault, and in 2023, he faced a one-game suspension for instigating a fight in the final minutes of a game against Vegas.
Despite Nurse's absence, the Kings went on to win the game 5-0. Afterward, they made accusations against the Oilers, claiming that Edmonton fielded a "B team" in an attempt to injure them before their upcoming first-round playoff series. This marks the fourth consecutive year the two teams are set to face off in the postseason.
