Dan Hamilton-Imagn images
A highly anticipated game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers was briefly halted after a terrifying goal from Toronto’s Ryan Reaves.
Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse circled his net looking for an escape option. The nurse kept his head down as he approached the open ice. At that moment, Reaves, the famed enforcer, threw a huge punch on the Oilers D-man.
The Leafs attacker was given a match penalty because the contact during the hit was mainly against the head. The nurse slowly got up and received medical attention from Edmonton staff. In the aftermath, the nurse had some blood on his face and more on his sweater. He was helped off the ice and it was confirmed that he will not return to action. As for Reaves, there is a good chance he will be suspended for this hit. Reaves has not been suspended since the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche while representing the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Oilers were awarded a five-minute power play. However, Connor McDavid and company were unable to capitalize and the match remained 2-1 in favor of Edmonton.
Going into this game, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch fielded his lineup with eleven forwards and seven defensemen. With Nurse not returning, Edmonton has the standard number of D-men. However, they are now missing a body against one of the league’s best teams.
Nurse had a great performance against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. He had a three-point night including two goals and the overtime winner set up by the Oilers captain.
Edmonton will hope the damage to Nurse isn’t as bad as it seems, as the Oilers are currently fifth in the Pacific Division. They have a record of 9-7-1 heading into this Saturday night matchup with the Maple Leafs.
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