Oilers' Darnell Nurse Suspended for Headbutting Kings' Phillip Danault in Game 5

Tyler Conway @@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVMay 11, 2022

EDMONTON, AB - MAY 10: Edmonton Oilers Defenceman Darnell Nurse (25) in action in the second period during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup playoffs round 1, game 5 on May 10, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The NHL suspended Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse for one game Wednesday for headbutting Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault in Game 5 of their first-round series.

Nurse headbutted Danault late in the second period of the Kings' 5-4 victory.

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The Oilers may be without Nurse for tomorrow's elimination game. <a href="https://t.co/miYGnarfkw">pic.twitter.com/miYGnarfkw</a>

The NHL called the act "unacceptable" in its video release Wednesday.

Nurse's absence will be a critical blow for an Oilers team facing a 3-2 deficit. He led all players with 26:23 of on-ice time in Game 4 and has been Edmonton's most consistent defensive force.

The Kings have scored four or more goals in all three of their wins in this series and will see a gaping hole on Nurse's side of the ice in Game 6.

Edmonton will need to ratchet up its own scoring Thursday night to avoid elimination.

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