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Oilers’ Darnell Nurse Battling Through Flames Series With Severe Core Injury

Darnell Nurse is dealing with a core injury that is severely affecting his playing time and effectiveness. What should the Oilers do?

According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the Edmonton Oilers’ injury situation is much worse than anyone is letting on. He writes, “So much attention has been focused on Draisaitl and his high-ankle sprain that the status of [Darnell] Nurse has been largely overlooked.” What Seravalli is referring to is a core injury that Nurse is dealing with, one so bad it could require offseason surgery.

Related: Leon Draisaitl Dealing With Ankle Sprain, Could Oilers Rest Him?

Seravalli adds, “It’s entirely possible Nurse is the more banged up of the two, as he battles what sources indicate is a core-muscle injury that might require offseason surgery to repair.” This means that two of Edmonton’s key players are playing a less than 100% and while it’s no excuse and multiple players battle through the playoffs with injuries, it does explain why the Oilers have struggled a bit. It also explains why Nurse’s minutes were way down in Game 1 and he wasn’t very effective.

Darnell Nurse Leon Draisaitl Oilers
Darnell Nurse Leon Draisaitl Oilers

Seravalli explains:

Nurse failed to register a hit in Game 1 and appeared to be more tentative than usual, especially in and around his own net, where his physical presence is usually felt most. How could you expect him to be anything but if that is indeed the injury? Everything a player does – from skating, to leverage, to shooting, is generated and stabilized through the core.

He noted that Nurse played almost seven fewer minutes of ice time than his average and why he wasn’t on the second unit power play.

Head coach Jay Woodcroft called both men warriors and that he appreciates the tough minutes they are giving the Oilers, but it’s clear he’s making adjustments to compensate for what these two guys can’t do as they battle through. One has to wonder if it’s time the Oilers consider resting the players and bringing in other options if Nurse’s effectiveness is so diminished that he’d be better letting someone like Philip Broberg take his minutes.

Next: Jake DeBrusk Not Willing to Commit to Rescinding Trade Request Yet

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  1. Pingback: Rick Bowness Stepping Down as Dallas Stars Head Coach

  2. Pingback: Oilers’ Darnell Nurse Battling Through Flames Series With Severe Core Injury Its Playoff Hockey Fantasy Hockey News - Its Playoff Hockey

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