Oilers receive playoff altering news with new injury updates on Ekholm and Pickard
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The Edmonton Oilers are heading into the Western Conference Final expecting huge boosts to their lineup with the returns of Mattias Ekholm and Calvin Pickard.
The Oilers entered the postseason with a slew of significant players missing Game 82 of the regular season. They've slowly got healthier so far, and now will finally get their top defenceman back.
Oilers issue two critical injury updates in Mattias Ekholm and Calvin Pickard
According to reporters from Oilers practice today, head coach Kris Knoblauch has officially changed Ekholm's injury status to day-to-day.
Knoblauch has already ruled him out for Games 1 and 2, but beyond that is optimistic for a return.
It's a massive upgrade from the previous status of Ekholm, who was only continually ruled out for longer. The Oilers veteran defenceman has missed a majority of games since the 4 Nations Faceoff dealing with significant injuries and illnesses. Whatever was holding out the 34 year old defender, it was a serious injury.
Getting Ekholm back could be entirely playoff altering news - not only for the Oilers, but every remaining playoff team. Edmonton has already been putting up elite defensive results, and now will be adding back their best two-way defenceman.
The Oilers depth has been so good, it actually will be hard to take Stecher or Klingberg out of the lineup.
Calvin Pickard ruled out to begin series, deemed day to day
The Oilers also took the opportunity to name their starting goalie for Game 1. Stuart Skinner will be back in the net, as Calvin Pickard remains unavailable due to injury.
Pickard went on a fantastic 6-0 run when Skinner faltered to start the playoffs, but came out with injury after Vegas forward Tomas Hertl fell on his leg.
When the Oilers also get Pickard back, they'll have the best defence left in the playoffs and a tandem of two goalies the team is comfortable with. Headed to the conference finals, it's based to think the Oilers are still improving.
| POLL | ||
MAI 16 | 772 ANSWERS Oilers receive playoff altering news with new injury updates on Ekholm and Pickard Do you think the Oilers will have the best defence in the NHL with Ekholm back? | ||
| Yes | 624 | 80.8 % |
| No | 148 | 19.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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