Mattias Ekholm seems close to returning.
The Edmonton Oilers defenseman took part in his first full team practice on Monday after being sidelined with an undisclosed injury since April 11.
Ekholm is confirmed to miss the initial two games of the Oilers` Western Conference Final series versus the Dallas Stars, but head coach Kris Knoblauch expressed `optimism` that the Swedish player might rejoin the lineup later in the series.
Should Ekholm return, it would be a remarkably swift recovery, considering his injury was initially expected to keep him out for 15 weeks, as reported by Elliotte Friedman on Monday`s 32 Thoughts Podcast.
“I didn`t anticipate being in this state so soon. … Participating in a full team practice on the ice today was a first. Now, it`s about seeing how I feel tomorrow. I`m approaching it day by day,” Ekholm stated to reporters after the practice session.
The opening game of the Oilers-Stars series is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT.
In Ekholm`s absence, Edmonton has utilized defensemen Ty Emberson and Troy Stecher. Emberson featured in the first nine playoff games, while Stecher, whose last playoff appearance was in 2022, joined the lineup for Game 4.
Although Ekholm`s absence is significant for the defense, the Oilers have achieved eight victories in their past nine games, recovering after losing the first two games of the opening round against Los Angeles.
Tristan Blackwood