The city of Edmonton is buzzing once again, as the Oilers are off to the Western Conference Final for the second straight season and the third time in four years. For the second straight year, the Oilers will be going head-to-head versus the Dallas Stars, whom they defeated in six games last year to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Related: 4 Keys to Oilers Beating Stars in Western Conference Final
There have been many areas of this Oilers team that have impressed throughout this year’s run, with one being the depth scoring they are getting throughout their entire lineup. That said, what may be the most impressive of all is that they’ve been able to eliminate two very good teams in the LA Kings and Vegas Golden Knights without Mattias Ekholm in their lineup.
Ekholm has yet to suit up in the playoffs due to an undisclosed ailment. He’s already been ruled out for the opening two games of the Western Conference Final, but could be ready just a short time later. Given how dominant the 34-year-old has been throughout his Oilers tenure, the fan base is eagerly awaiting his return. That said, they should also be fully prepared that it may not be the same player they’ve grown accustomed to over the past few years.
Ekholm Battling Significant Injury
Though we don’t know what the injury is that Ekholm is dealing with, it’s obviously quite a severe one. Players are often gutting through things come the postseason, and the fact that the Swedish blueliner, who is as tough as they come, wasn’t able to go in the first two rounds gives good indication that he’s dealing with something serious.
On top of that, the fact that he’s already been ruled out of the two opening games of the upcoming series gives indication that he isn’t anywhere close to being 100 percent healthy. Again, players gut through things at this time of the year, and the fact that he won’t be able to do so for at least the next few games due to this injury gives an indication that it’s far more than just a bump or bruise.
This all puts into question just how effective Ekholm will be when he returns. Many fans seem to be of the mindset that he will just jump right back in and be the reliable top-pairing option like he has been in the past with Evan Bouchard. What needs to be remembered is that when, or if he is able to return, he will not be playing at…
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