Leafs' Reaves faces hearing for hit to head of Oilers' Nurse

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse on Saturday.

Reaves caught Nurse with the high hit early in the second period. The Oilers blue-liner was bloodied on the play and ruled out for the rest of the contest with an upper-body injury.

The veteran enforcer was assessed a match penalty. The Maple Leafs killed Edmonton's ensuing five-minute power play.

"I think it's a dangerous play," Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said postgame. "He's gotta know that (Nurse) doesn't see him coming and choose the right path there. He doesn't. It's tough to see one of your teammates on the ice like that. Dangerous play. You don't ever wanna see something like that."

Reaves has been suspended three times in his 893-game NHL career. He was most recently banned for two games during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs while with the Vegas Golden Knights for roughing.

The 37-year-old has zero goals, one assist, and 23 penalty minutes this season.

Nurse has two goals and nine points in 17 contests, playing over 21 minutes per game.