Fallout: Pietrangelo Slashes Draisaitl, Nurse Fights Hague, Suspensions Probable

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is on a record goal-scoring pace. Late in Game 4, several moments after Draisaitl missed what would have been his 14th tally into an empty net, Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo delivered a hard slash across Draistail’s wrists.

Edmonton squashed the Golden Knights 4-1 at Rogers Place in Game 4 at Rogers Place Wednesday. The Round Two series is tied 2-2.

Pietrangelo brought his stick above his head before chopping down on Draisaitl, who fell to the ice for a few seconds. Referees dished Pietrangelo a five-minute major and a Game Misconduct.

A review by the Department of Player Safety seems probable, and a suspension seems likely.

Alex Pietrangelo gives Leon Draisaitl a two-handed slash after an empty net opportunity. pic.twitter.com/wziPdleLDx

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 11, 2023

More violence followed.

Fight: Darnell Nurse vs. Nicolas Hague

In the final minute of the game, Edmonton defenseman Darnel Nurse made a beeline for someone to fight and found Golden Knights defenseman, Nic Hague.

Nurse and Hague engaged in a heavyweight scrap that lasted well beyond the usual few seconds.

Nurse taunted Hague and the Golden Knights after the fight. Refs assessed both with five minutes for fighting but also nailed Nurse with a two-minute instigator penalty and a 10-minute misconduct.

An instigator penalty in the final five minutes of the game carries an automatic league review, and a suspension could follow, though the league is often reticent to enforce the rule, especially in the playoffs.