Darnell Nurse Suspended One Game for Instigating Fight w/ Hague

As decorum broke down and teams attempted to send messages not with bullhorns but bodies, the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights scrapped for most of the final few minutes of Edmonton’s 4-1 win in Game 4.

First, Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo delivered a two-hand slash on Leon Draisaitl’s wrists. Referees assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct. Pietrangelo is scheduled for a hearing Thursday with NHL Player Safety.

And with under one minute remaining, Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse charged into a scrum and picked a fight with Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague.

Nurse didn’t leave Hague much choice, and whether Hague agreed or not, the fight was happening. The pair had a spirited go, and referees correctly assessed Nurse with two minutes for instigating and a 10-minute misconduct.

Because the instigator penalty was given with less than five minutes remaining in the game, it carried an automatic review by the league, which upheld its rules. According to NHL Player Safety, Nurse was automatically suspended for Game 5, and Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft was fined $10,000.

The Oilers victory tied the series 2-2. Game 5 will be Friday at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drops just after 7 p.m. PT.

The Golden Knights’ travel schedule Thursday may have complicated Pietrangelo’s hearing schedule. He could receive a multiple-game suspension for an attempt to injure.

Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse has been automatically suspended for one game and Coach Jay Woodcroft has been fined $10,000 under rule 46.21, Instigating in Final Five Minutes of Regulation.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 11, 2023