Oilers defenceman returning to the lineup despite broken bone

On Saturday night, the Edmonton Oilers faced off against the Colorado Avalanche in what was one of the most exciting games of the year. Near the end of the second period, the physicality ramped up as Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais took a fight from the Avalanche's Josh Manson. Desharnais sustained a broken finger in the fight, but was already at practice today, and wants to be in the lineup against his hometown Montreal Canadiens.

It's absolutely incredible perseverance to see from Desharnais. Down the stretch of the season the Oilers are going to need his physical play as games become more competitive, and of course as a kid from Quebec, Desharnais wants to get in the lineup against the Canadiens.




The Oilers medical team apparently only pulled Desharnais as a precaution, and were able to splint up his finger well enough now that he can not even miss a step. A broken finger usually takes 4-6 weeks to heal, so it's safe to assume this might be his pinky finger, and the Oilers medical team is able to significant reduce the pain which will allow him to play.