Darnell Nurse to have hearing with NHL Player Safety after hit on Quinton Byfield
As mentioned previously, the game itself wasn't very competitive on Monday night as the LA Kings had a 3-0 lead in the first period and cruised to a 5-0 victory. However, they might have suffered a major loss if Quinton Byfield is forced to miss any time after a cheap shot by Edmonton Oilers' Darnell Nurse.
Darnell Nurse receives a five minute major for cross checking Quinton Byfield near the back of the head pic.twitter.com/nUcPdAq1nY
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) April 15, 2025
The initial hit itself on Byfield wasn't the issue; rather, it was what happened after the players went to the ice. Once on the ground, Nurse decided to hit Byfield in the back of the head across the neck and drive him into the ice.
It would only receive a five minute major and frankly should have been more, but according to Frank Seravalli the NHL Player Safety will be holding a hearing on Tuesday night in regards to the play.
If Nurse is suspended, and he should be for the hit, it will be worth seeing how long the suspension is for. The Oilers only have one game left in the regular season and if the suspension is longer than that, then he will miss some of the series with the Kings.
It also wouldn't be the first time he has been suspended for a hit on a Kings player as he was suspended during the 2022 NHL Playoffs after a cheap shot on Phillip Danault. The Kings' center did not sugarcoat his feelings about the game and said "They just have their B-squad in trying to hurt us".
"They just have their B-squad in trying to hurt us." 😳
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 15, 2025
Phillip Danault soudned off in the midst of a chippy Kings-Oilers game last night. pic.twitter.com/JkpeRlJv3n
Regardless of what the NHL decides, there is no question that emotions are going to be high going into this series.