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Paul Bissonnette Explains Controversial NHL Penalty Call in Oilers-Stars Game 2

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 24, 2025 7:28 AM ET

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse’s slash on Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final has drawn strong reactions in the aftermath of the Oilers' victory.

Those discussing the controversial play include two former NHL players with firsthand experience in similar situations.

Paul Bissonnette tried to explain Nurse's action and the officials' decision not to upgrade the offense to a major penalty after reviewing the slash on Hintz.

"Hard to call this a 5-minute major. Can’t really," Bissonnette wrote on X. "But there are a lot of people in these comments that have never been slashed with the heel of a stick blade right on top of the laces.

"You can break a foot with that chop. Some guys wear shot blockers on top of their skates for that reason as well. I wouldn’t call this a dive. Just got hit in the perfect spot to cause damage."

Hard to call this a 5 minute major. Can’t really. But there’s a lot of people in these comments that have never been slashed with the heel of a stick blade right on top of the laces. You can break a foot with that chop. Some guys wear shot blockers on top of their skates for that… https://t.co/16NCS9eYDu
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) May 24, 2025

Nurse was assessed a minor penalty for the third-period slash, which occurred after Hintz gave him a shove in front of the Edmonton net.

The Dallas forward went down, grabbed his foot, and had to be helped to the locker room without putting any weight on his left leg.

Oilers fans listen to your former Hall of Fame D man. #LetsGoOilers https://t.co/JytV2LlQGP
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) May 24, 2025

Former Oilers defenseman Chris Pronger backed Bissonnette’s take, quoting his original post and adding to it.

"I can attest (Bissonnette's take). All the guys that I did this to can attest as well," Pronger wrote. "It hurts and when all you hear is a thud you know it will do some damage. Probably got him on the nerve."

Meanwhile, Stars head coach Peter DeBoer clearly disagreed with the call, making his frustration clear postgame.

"Does anyone in this room think if Connor McDavid gets carried off the ice like that, that it’s not a five-minute major?" DeBoer said.

The Oilers won 3-0 behind goals from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Brett Kulak, and Connor Brown, and tied the series 1-1, with Game 3 taking place Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in Edmonton.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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