On June 7th, 2021, the Edmonton Oilers faced off against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of the NHL playoffs. However, the Oilers were without one of their key players, Darnell Nurse, who was suspended for the game due to instigating a fight with Nic Hague from Vegas.
The incident occurred in Game 4 of the series, when Nurse took exception to a hit on his teammate, Jesse Puljujarvi, by Hague. Nurse immediately confronted Hague and initiated a fight, resulting in both players receiving five-minute fighting majors. However, Nurse also received an additional two-minute minor for instigating the fight, which ultimately led to his suspension for Game 5.
The NHL has strict rules regarding instigating fights, as it is seen as a way to promote unnecessary violence in the game. According to Rule 46.11, “A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation shall be assessed an instigator penalty and shall be automatically suspended for one game.”
While Nurse’s actions may have been in defense of his teammate, he still violated this rule and was rightfully punished. The Oilers were forced to play without one of their top defensemen in a crucial game, which ultimately resulted in their elimination from the playoffs.
This incident serves as a reminder that players must adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the NHL. While emotions can run high during intense playoff games, it is important for players to maintain their composure and avoid unnecessary altercations that can result in penalties and suspensions.
As for Nurse, he will have to learn from his mistake and ensure that he does not repeat it in the future. The Oilers will also have to regroup and come back stronger next season, with the hope of making a deeper playoff run.
