The Edmonton Oilers have returned home after a 4 game road trip to take on the Utah Hockey Club tonight, and they may get multiple players added in the lineup.
According to reporters at Oilers practice today, Zach Hyman was back in the lineup and appears to be ready to play tonight, and Mattias Ekholm joined the team again to take reps on the top pairing.
Coach Knoblauch confirmed that both injured Oilers will make their return to play tonight.
Oilers lineup gets major boost against Utah Hockey Club
Jeff Skinner will join McDavid and Hyman on the first line - a surprising group after Skinner has been benched and scratched all year, but the veteran sniper had a great game last time out and deserves the promotion.
On defence, the Oilers group is looking so much better with the addition of both Ekholm and Walman into the lines. Walman is now playing second pair on his off-side with Nurse, and Troy Stecher has been bumped out.
Oilers add several players at practice as lineup strengthens before playoffs
In addition to Hyman and Ekholm, the Oilers also got Derek Ryan and John Klingberg back at practice today. Both players aren't expected to play, but even their depth is beginning to look much stronger.
Additionally, the Oilers are still expecting Evander Kane and Trent Frederic back in the playoffs. Come springtime, the Oilers roster will look much stronger than it's been the last few weeks.
It's great news for Edmonton before they take on the Utah Hockey Club tonight, and for the weeks to come.