NEWSLETTER
If you went to bed early last night, I don’t blame you. With Edmonton jumping out to a three-goal lead in the first period on their home ice, it felt like the game was in-hand for the Oilers pretty early. This series has been feisty throughout each game, and it may have reached it’s boiling point on Wednesday night. A series of hits, penalties — called and not called — and a fight could mean two key players are suspended for an important Game 5.
In the third period, Evander Kane hit Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo from behind in what appeared to be an illegal play at first glance. The officially ruled that Pietrangelo had put himself in a dangerous position late and did not send Kane to the box for the play.
To say Pietrangelo was pissed might be an understatement. And to say his response was good, smart of acceptable isn’t possible. With just under 90 seconds left in regulation, Pietrangelo lumberjacked Leon Draisaitl across the forearm. My immediate reaction was that this was worth a major penalty and possibly a suspension.
Pietrangelo got a penalty for slashing and the game misconduct. So his night was over. And I still believe that play is worthy of a conversation with the Department of Player Safety because you just can’t use your stick as a weapon like that. It’s a stupid, dangerous play.
Connor McDavid went after Pietrangelo after the hack, everybody got separated, and the game went on.
But some Oilers didn’t want to let that rest. Specifically defenseman Darnell Nurse.
Inside the final minute of regulation, Nurse decided he was going to drop the gloves with Nicolas Hague.
Here’s the problem: this is the most obvious instigator penalty possible. Nurse skated about 30 feet and jumped Hague, dropping the gloves and initiating the fight. Yeah, Hague was ready to dance and was a willing participant, but this is the literal definition of the instigator penalty.
And if a player gets an instigator penalty inside the final five minutes of a game, it’s an automatic one-game suspension.
I understand and appreciate sticking up for teammates, and the refs don’t always call an instigator. But Nurse has to keep the big picture in mind in this situation — and his coach needs to remind the players on the roster that they’re winning and have to keep their heads.
Now, what might have been just Vegas down a top defenseman will probably be both teams missing an important piece on their respective blue lines for Game 5 this weekend.
We’ll likely find out on Thursday if the league office is going to hand down any discipline for Pietrangelo and Nurse, so stay tuned.
