Already a polarizing player thanks to the size of his contract, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has come under extra scrutiny in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. Considering he holds a +/- of -14, the worst +/- in the entirety of the 2024 playoffs, one can see why. As Nurse’s costly mistakes continue to add up, calls for him to be scratched have yet to be answered. Coach Kris Knoblauch has shifted Nurse’s defense partners throughout the last two rounds, but outside of a single game against the Dallas Stars where Nurse was fantastic, nothing seems to help him maintain consistency
EDMONTON OILERS
The High Price of Disappointment: Nurse’s Playoff Stats Fall Short
Edmonton Oilers Defenseman Darnell Nurse has had a disappointing playoffs so far, many fans call for a change.
Already a polarizing player thanks to the size of his contract, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has come under extra scrutiny in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. Considering he holds a +/- of -14, the worst +/- in the entirety of the 2024 playoffs, one can see why. As Nurse’s costly mistakes continue to add up, calls for him to be scratched have yet to be answered. Coach Kris Knoblauch has shifted Nurse’s defense partners throughout the last two rounds, but outside of a single game against the Dallas Stars where Nurse was fantastic, nothing seems to help him maintain consistency.
Averaging around 22 minutes in the regular season and 19 minutes in the playoffs, Nurse is a vital component of the Oilers’ defensive core. In 21 playoff games, Nurse hasn’t chipped in much offensively, with only four assists. He hasn’t been much better defensively. Not only has Nurse given away the puck eight times, he has been on the ice for 24 goals against.
