Defenseman Mattias Ekholm will return to the lineup for the Edmonton Oilers in Thursday’s potential Western Convention finals-clinching Recreation 5 in opposition to the Dallas Stars.
Out since April 11 with an undisclosed damage, Ekholm missed the primary two rounds of the playoffs for the Oilers, who beat the Los Angeles Kings in six video games and the Vegas Golden Knights in 5 earlier than grabbing a 3-1 lead over the Stars.
Ekholm was with the highest defensive unit throughout Thursday’s morning skate.
“This is a man that is been enjoying huge minutes for us since he is just about got here to Edmonton,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch advised reporters Thursday. “Taking part in a shut-down function, enjoying a penalty-kill function, energy play, no matter. For him to return again and feeling nice, it is an incredible addition to our crew.”
Of his damage, Ekholm mentioned that “it feels actually good,” however that he’s nonetheless “ensuring I am in a great spot the place I cannot simply play however face up to some blows.” He tried to return twice over the previous few weeks solely to worsen his damage.
Ekholm scored a career-high 11 targets final season and helped Edmonton rally from a 3-0 sequence deficit within the Stanley Cup Last, which the Oilers in the end misplaced to the Florida Panthers. His 2024-25 marketing campaign was reduce brief with 9 targets, whereas his 22:11 of common ice time per recreation ranked third on the crew.
–Area Stage Media