Oilers’ Darnell Nurse to have hearing for hit on Kings’ Quinton Byfield

Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse has a hearing with the NHL Tuesday and could face a fine or suspension just days before the playoffs begin.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday, one day after his cross-check on Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield.

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Nurse lowered the boom on Byfield with 5:24 remaining in the second period on Monday. The Kings went on to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Pacific Division with a 5-0 win against the Oilers at Rogers Place.

Nurse was whistled for a five-minute major penalty for cross-checking and a game misconduct for the hit on Byfield, who did not return to the contest.

“No update,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said of Byfield’s condition. “He wasn’t able to finish, that’s all. It doesn’t matter how I saw it.”

The Oilers and Kings are set to square off for the fourth consecutive season in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Nurse, 30, has recorded 33 points (five goals, 28 assists) in 76 games this season.

Byfield, 22, scored a power-play goal in the first period to boost his point total to 54 (23 goals, 31 assists) in 80 games this season.

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