Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse earned a major penalty and game misconduct for cross-checking Los Angeles Kings right winger Quinton Byfield during Monday night's NHL game at Rogers Place.
It happened at the 14:36 mark of the second period with the Kings leading 4-0. Byfield was positioned in front of the Oilers net as a shot from teammate Kevin Piala hit the left post. Byfield tried to shoot the rebound past goaltender Calvin Pickard but couldn't get it past him. As Pickard fell on the loose puck, Nurse came from behind, wrapped his arm around Byfield's head and pulled him down to the ice. Then, to finish things off, Nurse punched Byfield in the back of the head.
Darnell Nurse received a major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking Quinton Byfield pic.twitter.com/SV01EAzB0p
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 15, 2025
The officials called Nurse for cross-checking, but upon further review, they tacked on a game misconduct. Based on the video, it was an obvious call as Nurse clearly went too far here and deserved to be ejected. We would imagine that the NHL Player Safety department may have more to say on this play as well.
Byfield scored a power play goal in the first period and has now scored a goal in four consecutive games. The Kings won the game 5-0 and have now won 7 of their past 8 games.
