Now, as the series heads to Edmonton, it does so with uncertainty and animosity. As unknown as Hintz’s status may be, DeBoer remained certain about one thing — that if Oilers center Connor McDavid were the player injured, the officials would have responded differently.

Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz left the ice without putting any weight on his left leg after Edmonton defender Darnell Nurse slashed him on top of his skate in the third period of the Oilers’ 3-0 victory in Game 2 of the Western Conference final Friday night.

Darnell Nurse’s slash to the left skate boot of Roope Hintz in the third period Friday was more violent than vicious, also unnecessary with Hintz no threat to score and the Oilers comfortably ahead 3-0. But we’ve seen a whole lot worse.