Reaves was assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head at 2:41 of the second period and was ejected from the game. The Leafs forward took five or six strides before leveling Nurse as he skated around his own net with the puck.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves has been suspended for five games without pay for an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. Reaves also was fined $35,156.25, the NHL’s Department of Safety announced Sunday.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves has been suspended five games for an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced its ruling Sunday following a hearing with Reaves earlier in the day.

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse was reportedly spotted in the locker room moving around and making jokes with team staff after exiting Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs due to taking a check to the head from opposing forward Ryan Reaves.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves got into some hot water on Saturday when he was given a five-minute match penalty for a hit on Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. Darnell Nurse did not return to the game for the Oilers.

The head contact on this check is avoidable. Reaves mistimes this play, choosing an angle of approach that cuts across the front of Nurse, missing his core and making his head the main point of contact.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves has developed a reputation throughout his career of his devastating hits, but he crossed the line during Saturday night’s matchup against the visiting Edmonton Oilers and he’s paying the price for it.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ forward Ryan Reaves has been suspended five games by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, after delivering an illegal check to the head on Edmonton Oilers’ defenseman Darnell Nurse.