Oilers D Darnell Nurse (head) out 5-10 days after hit

Field Level Media|published: Mon 18th November, 13:22 2024

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Toronto Maple Leafs

Nov 16, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) is helped off the ice after suffering an apparent injury on a bodycheck from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves (not shown) in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse will be sidelined five to 10 days after taking a shot to the head from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves over the weekend.

"Obviously there was a big scare there ... since then, he's progressed really well, he's doing as good as he can," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters Monday.

Reaves hit Nurse with his shoulder as the latter was attempting to skate out from behind the net during the second period of the Leafs' 4-3 overtime win over the Oilers on Saturday. Nurse was bleeding after the exchange and did not return to the game.

Reaves received a five-minute major penalty for an illegal check to the head and a game misconduct. He was suspended for five games by the NHL on Sunday.

Nurse, 29, has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 18 games this season.

In his 11th NHL season, all with the Oilers, Nurse has 276 points (78 goals, 198 assists) and a rating of plus-69. The Oilers selected him No. 7 overall in the 2013 draft.

--Field Level Media