Reaves hit was textbook blindside hit, point of contact with the head. He should receive minimum five games for the hit. Personally, I’d make these penalties harsher, but that seems to be DoPs wheelhouse. Then again, with the random wheel of suspensions, you never know how many games it could be. Despite having six prior suspensions, he isn’t considered a repeat offender, as the last suspension was playoffs 2021, outside of the 18 months required. I personally find that a weird rule.
Now without absolving Reaves of any responsibilty in the least, and am not saying his penalty should be any less harsh, what is Nurse doing there? Keep your head up, and be aware of where other players are on the ice, don’t be admiring the puck on your stick. That’s not only a safety issue, but a hockey issue for passing the puck, not losing it to a teammate…. If Reaves point of contact hadn’t been the head, he still would have blown Nurse up, and Oilers likely lose possession. Again, Reaves is fully responsible for making a clean hit, which he clearly did not, and should be suspended. Nurse does need to be smarter as well though.