Oilers insider has disappointing update on Mattias Ekholm injury
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The Edmonton Oilers will play their first round playoff series against the LA Kings without top pairing defender Mattias Ekholm, and he may be out even longer than that.
Ekholm has been ruled out of the Oilers lineup for the entire first round already with an undisclosed injury, and now Bob Stauffer dropped another quick hint on his condition.
Oilers insider Bob Stauffer releases another update on Mattias Ekholm injury
On tonight's edition of Oilers Now, Bob Stauffer recapped the team's injury report by confirming that Ekholm will miss the entire first round, and then revealed that it may be longer too.
No Mattias Ekholm for Edmonton for the entire playoff series, and perhaps longer. No Troy Stecher to start.
- Bob Stauffer
- Bob Stauffer
Ekholm has been out for the majority of games since the 4 Nations Faceoff, dealing with illness and unspecified injuries. When he has been in the lineup, he's struggled the meet the level of play he usually does - clearly playing through pain.
Mattias Ekholm may be out longer than first round if Oilers advance
The loss of Mattias Ekholm is a significant blow to the Oilers blue line. Every other defender will have to step up to cover his usual 20+ minutes of ice time.
Troy Stecher has also been the most reliable depth defender, and now is being replaced with Josh Brown who's had an awful year.
The injuries will certainly be a challenge for the Oilers as they try to make another deep playoff run.
They still have the depth and the talent to overcome one big loss, but it will take every player pulling on the same rope - and another superhuman effort from McDavid and Draisaitl.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 21 | 952 ANSWERS Oilers insider has disappointing update on Mattias Ekholm injury Do you think Ekholm will be able to come back this playoffs at all? | ||
| Yes | 431 | 45.3 % |
| No | 521 | 54.7 % |
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