Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse suffered a serious injury after a dangerous hit from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves during Saturday night’s game. The incident occurred early in the second period, resulting in Nurse being bloodied and helped off the ice to the locker room.
Nurse was caught high by Reaves as he wheeled around the net, causing him to crash to the ice. The defenseman remained down for a few minutes as trainers attended to him. Unfortunately, Nurse did not return to the game following the hit.
Reaves received a match penalty and a game misconduct for the play. He was seen exchanging words with Edmonton captain Connor McDavid before leaving the ice. While Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch did not provide an official injury update, Nurse was spotted outside the locker room with a cut over his swollen right eye.
The dangerous nature of the hit sparked reactions from players and coaches on both teams. Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins expressed his concern, highlighting the need for players to be more aware of their actions on the ice to prevent such incidents.
Darnell Nurse, who has been a key contributor to the Oilers this season with two goals and seven assists in 17 games, plays a crucial role in various aspects of the game. Coach Knoblauch emphasized Nurse’s importance to the team and his recent strong performances.
Ryan Reaves, known for his physical style of play, has a history of suspensions in his NHL career, including two for hits resulting in a total of six games. Despite the intentions behind the hit, Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann acknowledged the risk involved in playing a hard, physical game and the potential for accidental high hits.
The safety and well-being of players are always top priorities in professional sports, and incidents like these serve as reminders of the physical risks involved in hockey. As the league continues to emphasize player safety and fair play, it is crucial for all athletes to approach the game with caution and respect for their opponents to prevent avoidable injuries.