Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse was knocked out of Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after taking a big hit from Ryan Reaves early in the second period.
The Maple Leafs forward was assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head at 2:41 of the period after taking five or six strides and hitting Nurse as he skated around his own net with the puck.
Ryan Reaves receives a 5-minute match penalty for this hit on Darnell Nurse. pic.twitter.com/hVZN9FJpRY
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 17, 2024
Nurse stayed down in the corner for an extended period of time while a trainer tended to him. He had a big cut on his forehead that appeared to be caused by his visor.
Within minutes, the Oilers announced that he wouldn’t return to the game because of an upper-body injury.
Darnell Nurse (upper body) will not return for the #Oilers tonight.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 17, 2024
Reaves could be facing supplemental discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety as a result of the hit. He’s been suspended three times previously during his 893-game NHL career — two of which were the result of illegal hits.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press via AP)
