Oilers D Mattias Ekholm anticipated to return for Game 5 vs. Stars

Defenseman Mattias Ekholm will return to the lineup for the Edmonton Oilers in Thursday’s potential Western Conference finals-clinching Game 5 in opposition to the Dallas Stars.

Out since April 11 with an undisclosed harm, 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.

“Here’s a guy that’s been playing big minutes for us since he’s pretty much came to Edmonton,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch informed reporters Thursday. “Playing a shut-down role, playing a penalty-kill role, power play, whatever. For him to come back and feeling great, it’s a great addition to our team.”

Of his harm, Ekholm stated that “it feels really good,” however that he’s nonetheless “making sure I’m in a good spot where I can not just play but withstand some blows.” He tried to return twice over the previous few weeks solely to worsen his harm.

Ekholm scored a career-high 11 targets final season and helped Edmonton rally from a 3-0 sequence deficit within the Stanley Cup Final, which the Oilers finally misplaced to the Florida Panthers. His 2024-25 marketing campaign was minimize quick with 9 targets, whereas his 22:11 of common ice time per sport ranked third on the crew.

–Field Level Media