Ace Oilers d-man finally ready to play, but another ace remains on sidelines

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This in, news that ace Edmonton Oilers d-man Mattias Ekholm is back in the line-up, but that another ace defender Jake Walman is still out sick.

This in from Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Athletic: “Per Knoblauch: – Ekholm is in – (Stuart) Skinner is the backup tonight and will get two of the last four starts; starting goalie for the playoffs TBD – Draisaitl is out; will play before end of regular season – Frederic might not be able to play Game 1; Kane might but timeline TBD – Walman out but should get one game on the upcoming back to back.”

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And Tony Brar of Oilers TV reports: “Hope is to get Draisaitl a couple of games before playoffs. Skinner to get two starts before Playoffs. Frederic could return Game 1 or 2. No timeline on Kane but close.”

He also listed the lines for tonight’s game against San Jose:

Skinner – McDavid – Brown
Arvidsson – Henrique – Hyman
Podkolzin – Janmark – Perry
Jones – Philp – Kapanen
Draisaitl* – Kane*

Nurse – Bouchard
Kulak – Stecher
Dineen – Emberson
Ekholm*

Pickard
Skinner

My take

1. Stuart Skinner last played March 26 against Dallas. That was also Ekholm’s last game. Ekholm is one of Edmonton’s four key players who have been injured, attempted a comback to the roster, then had to sit out again with injury.  The other three are Leon Draisaitl, Trent Frederic and John Klingberg. One hopes that this time Ekholm is good to go. Ever since he got sick and injured in late January/early February he has not been close to the same player as he was at the start of the season.

2. Brett Kulak has also been in a prolonged slump, while Darnell Nurse, Evan Bouchard and Jake Walman have all played solid hockey, with Ty Emberson trending down and Troy Stecher trending up.

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3. In his first 52 games, Ekholm was playing like an all-star, which is why he was named to Team Sweden. But battling injury in his last 12 games he’s been a shadow of himself, leaking Grade A shots against, with his offensive efficiency also cut in half. As for Kulak, he’s been in a prolonged defensive slump.

4. Walman has been playing strong two way hockey since he arrived. It’s good news that he won’t be out long.

5. No surprise to see Calvin Pickard in net again. He’s been good-to-great in the nets since the NHL trade deadline, shutting up the most anxious talk about Edmonton’s goalie situation, with streaky Stuart Skinner not playing well, then getting injured.

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