Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

NHL DoPS Makes Official Decision on Darnell Nurse's Suspension Fate After Dirty Slash to Roope Hintz

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 24, 2025 3:14 PM ET

Darnell Nurse ended Game 2 with a slash to the legs of Roope Hintz, and after the Stars veteran left the game, Nurse has heard from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals belonged to the Edmonton Oilers, as they would pick up a key 3-0 victory to even the series up at 1-1 before heading back to Edmonton for critical Game's 3 and 4.

Late in the game however, there was a key moment when veteran Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse slashed Roope Hintz right in the leg, with the talented Stars forward leaving the game shortly after with an injury.

While it didn't appear to be much, many have called it a dirty play that was worthy of the penalty given that Hintz had to be helped from the ice, and as a result, many expected Nurse to hear from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

On Saturday, we got our answer from the DoPS, who have revealed Nurse's fate for a critical Game 3 back in Edmonton that could be the deciding factor in this series between two incredibly talented teams.

So far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Department of Player Safety have been incredibly inconsistent, and it's left fans confused on many occasions when their decision has come out, but on this occasion, it appears as though it was the right decision.

As a result, we'll see a must-win game for both teams back in Edmonton on Sunday, but given the impact that this play will likely have on the series, don't be surprised to see this come up again between these two heated rivals.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: