Oilers allowing Darnell Nurse to heal up ahead of playoffs

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse (25) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. (Jeff Chiu/AP)

EDMONTON  — These are nervous times when it comes to the injury list, with the National Hockey League playoffs only a week away. And you can officially paint the Edmonton Oilers as nervous. 

Defenceman Darnell Nurse did not join the Edmonton Oilers on their current two-game road swing through Columbus and Pittsburgh, out with what is being called a “lower body injury.” 

How long will he be out for? After listening to Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft Sunday morning, the weather looked positive, with periods of elusiveness. 

“We'll see,” Woodcroft said, when asked if Nurse will be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs, expected to be next Monday versus the Los Angeles Kings. “We don’t want to put any timelines on him, or anything like that. We didn't bring him on the trip, and we’re allowing him to heal up.” 

Right winger Jesse Puljujarvi also stayed home. The team lists him as “ill.” 

But it is Nurse, who appeared to tweak something while jostling with Colorado’s J.T. Compher in Friday’s 6-3 win over the Avalanche, that is by far the biggest concern.

Nurse is Edmonton’s ice time leader, averaging 25:03 per game, which ranks 12th in the NHL. He’s a lead penalty killer and matches up against the opponent’s top line on a nightly basis. 

Sure, the Kings will be without their go-to guy in Drew Doughty, who had wrist surgery and will not return until training camp in September.

But that’s L.A.’s problem. Edmonton’s defence revolves around its six-foot-four, 220-pound assistant captain. 

They’ll need him if the Oilers are to put together any kind of post-season run. 

“We’ll just letting them heal up here. We don't think it’s anything major,” Woodcroft said. “Darnell is such a good athlete, and he’s a quick healer. So for us, the only thing we’re going to talk about is he’s not on the trip. 

“Do we expect him to heal quickly? Yes. But he’s day by day, and (the injury) is nothing major. But out of precaution, we just didn’t bring him on the trip.” 

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