DALLAS — The Edmonton Oilers have misplaced one in all their high gamers to damage. However they’re getting one other high participant again for Recreation 5 of the Western Convention last.
Zach Hyman, who had surgical procedure on Wednesday to restore an upper-body damage, is probably going out for the remainder of the playoffs. However defenseman Mattias Ekholm (lower-body damage) is ready to make his 2025 postseason debut on Thursday evening because the Oilers try to shut out the Dallas Stars and advance to their second straight Stanley Cup Closing.
“It’s extraordinarily disappointing to lose Hy,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid stated. “Devastated for him. He’s a man who needs to be on the market, needs to make a distinction. We’ll miss him so much.
“However nice to see Ekky come again. He’s put in a number of onerous work to get up to now.”
Ekholm hasn’t performed since April 11, when he made his second try at getting back from the damage that originally sidelined him on March 6. Primarily based on Thursday morning’s skate, he’s anticipated to take his customary spot on the highest pair subsequent to Evan Bouchard.
“It’s been a dialog with our medical doctors,” Ekholm stated. “I got here again twice and re-aggravated it. It was ensuring I’m in a great spot the place I can, not simply play, but in addition face up to some blows.”
Ekholm’s inclusion within the lineup means there shall be changes to the protection pairs. Brett Kulak, who’d been taking part in with Bouchard, is slated to begin Recreation 5 on the appropriate aspect with Darnell Nurse. Troy Stecher, Nurse’s most important accomplice for the final six video games, will come out of the lineup.
Oilers traces and pairings at morning skate in DAL pre Recreation 5:
RNH-McDavid-Perry
Kane-Draisaitl-Kapanen
Skinner-Henrique-Frederic
Podkolzin-Janmark-ArvidssonEkholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Kulak
Walman-Klingberg
Stecher-EmbersonSkinner
Pickard— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) May 29, 2025
The Oilers had been contemplating utilizing seven defensemen in Recreation 4 had Ekholm been capable of play. That wasn’t a lot of a thought for Recreation 5.
“We all know he’s able to go,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch stated of Ekholm. “We additionally know that we’ve obtained numerous left-handed defenseman that may play huge minutes. Darnell Nurse, Kulak, Walman — there’s three guys — and you then’ve obtained Ekky on high of that.”
“I don’t suppose I’m taking part in 26 minutes,” Ekholm stated, “however I do suppose I’m able to play considerably of a traditional function.”
With out Hyman and Connor Brown, who missed Recreation 4 with an damage, the ahead combine all of a sudden appears to be like significantly totally different.
Jeff Skinner will return to the lineup after being scratched from the earlier 14 video games. His solely look was within the postseason opener in opposition to the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner took line rushes with Adam Henrique and Trent Frederic, who’s taking part in proper wing to fill in for Hyman and Brown after nearly completely taking part in on the left aspect within the playoffs.
“It’s good to get in and attempt to contribute,” Skinner stated. “Guys have been taking part in effectively and battling onerous. They’ve obtained a great factor going. I’m attempting to return in and assist them out.”
Primarily based on the morning skate, Corey Perry will begin Recreation 5 in Hyman’s spot on the highest line with McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The second line consists of Leon Draisaitl centering Evander Kane and Kasperi Kapanen, with a fourth line of Vasily Podkolzin, Mattias Janmark and Viktor Arvidsson.
There’s fairly a little bit of change to the lineup. The Oilers struggled within the first two video games of the playoffs as gamers had been being reintegrated following accidents. McDavid isn’t fearful about that now.
“The gamers which are coming in,” he stated, “they’re round. They’re part of it. It doesn’t really feel all that totally different. They’re veteran guys. They’re guys which are going to step in and are going to play nice. I count on nothing much less. I don’t suppose it’s too huge of a deal.”
The largest change is Ekholm coming in for Hyman — an essential veteran popping out with one other coming in.
“It’s a surreal second after I know I’m near being again, and you then see Zach and he’s most definitely completed,” Ekholm stated. “I’m simply feeling for him. What a playoffs he had, too, simply contributing in a good way.
“It’s as much as us within the room to fill that void and hopefully hold the practice transferring in the appropriate course.”
(Photograph of Mattias Ekholm: Daniel Bartel / USA As we speak Community by way of Imagn Pictures)
