As the playoffs approach, tensions flared during Monday`s game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings.
Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking Kings forward Quinton Byfield in the head in the second period.
During a scramble in front of Edmonton`s netminder Calvin Pickard while the Oilers were shorthanded, Nurse appeared to knock Byfield to the ice before delivering a cross-check near the back of Byfield`s head.
Byfield remained on the ice momentarily but eventually got up and skated off. He was evaluated for a concussion during the second intermission.
The referees assessed a major penalty and game misconduct on the ice, which was confirmed after video review.
The Oilers` aggressive play caught the attention of Kings forward Phillip Danault, who expressed his frustration in an interview between the second and third periods.
“I think they just put in their `B squad` to try and injure us,” Danault told Kings reporter Patrick O`Neal.
