Oilers’ Darnell Nurse ejected for cross-check to head of Kings’ Quinton Byfield

A short-handed Edmonton Oilers team just lost another skater.

Defenceman Darnell Nurse was handed a five-minute major and game misconduct for cross-checking Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield in the head on Monday.

Amid a scrum in front of goalie Calvin Pickard with the Oilers killing a five-on-three, Nurse appeared to slam Byfield down to the ice before cross-checking him near the back of his head.

Byfield remained down on the ice for a few moments, but slowly got up and stayed in the game.

Referees called the major and misconduct on the ice, and confirmed both upon review.

Nurse’s ejection meant the Oilers were forced to complete the game with just five defencemen. The team already dressed one forward short due to a long list of injuries, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

The game between the two teams who will meet for a fourth straight first-round playoff series was chippy through 40 minutes, with a combined 21 penalties called by officials.

Los Angeles led 4-0 at second intermission.

The Oilers’ final regular-season game comes Wednesday on the road against the San Jose Sharks.