The Edmonton Oilers have their backs against the wall, having failed to come up with a win on their home ice in Game 5. Now, trailing 3-2 to the Kings, the series will return to Los Angeles on Thursday night for what is a must-win game for the Oilers, during which they may be without star defender Darnell Nurse. Nurse is set to be disciplined by the NHL for a dirty hit on Phillip Danault during Game 5. He's due for a hearing on Wednesday to determine his fate, though it seems likely he's destined for a suspension based on the egregious nature of the hit, via Frank Seravalli. 

The incident occurred with just a few seconds remaining in the second period of play. Remarkably, Nurse was not penalized in-game for his conduct, as the referees apparently missed the blatant headbutt. Unfortunately for Nurse, the NHL Department of Player Safety absolutely noticed his dirty hit, and he's set to face the consequences for his actions.

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Typically, when a player has a hearing with the Department of Player Safety, it means a suspension is incoming. If that's the case for Nurse, the Oilers will find themselves in dangerous waters for Game 6. Nurse is the team's best defender and a key player for Edmonton, so not having him available in a possible elimination game would be a huge loss, though he did it to himself with his hot-headed antics.

Nurse has 2 points in the series against the Kings, having scored a goal in the first game and assisted one in Game 2. He played 26 minutes in the overtime loss on Tuesday, but did not record a hit (this headbutt on Danault does not count, believe it or not), and blocked 2 shots.