Darnell Nurse Finally Speaks Out on Controversial Slash That Had Fans Divided

After Darnell Nurse was involved in a very controversial slash with Roope Hintz, the Oilers defenseman finally broke his silence and meant no harm.

Edmonton Oilers blueliner Darnell Nurse has answered for the slash that injured Dallas Stars winger Roope Hintz in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final.

The altercation erupted late in the third period when Nurse and Hintz wrestled in front of the Oilers' net. Nurse received a solid hit from Hintz before retaliating with a slash to Hintz's ankle. The Finnish forward crumpled to the ice and was helped off.

Nurse was originally given a major penalty but had it reduced to a minor on appeal. Hintz sat out Game 3 due to the injury.

Nurse said these type of slashes happen all the time in front of the net

Speaking on Tuesday, Nurse said he never meant to harm Hintz. He called slashes in front of the net routine, but they never usually cause injuries. This one, he seemed to indicate, was a case of bad luck and bad timing.

'I was just backing up to the net, and I got a shot at the back,' Nurse explained. 'I think it was just a natural reaction. It's probably a play that everyone in this room, whether you're a net-front or d-man, it probably happens a dozen, two dozen times in a year.

'Unfortunate that it must have gotten him in a bad spot. You don't want to go out there and hurt anyone, but it was just one of those play that happens so often.'