The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars are facing off in their third consecutive Western Conference Final. After the Oilers’ 6-3 loss in Game 1, the availability of Oilers top defenseman Mattias Ekholm has become a key talking point.
The 34-year-old Swede, sidelined since mid-April with an undisclosed injury, joined team practice on Monday, May 19. Ekholm had missed the final stretch of the regular season and all of Edmonton’s playoff games up to this point.
Oilers HC Shares News About Mattias Ekholm’s Availability for Game 2
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch officially ruled Ekholm out for Game 2. During a press conference on Thursday, May 22, he concisely and firmly ruled out the defenseman for the upcoming contest on Friday, May 23.
“No, he’s not ready,” Knoblauch said in response to a question about Ekholm.
The news comes as a blow to the Oilers’ team and fans, after optimistic updates earlier in the week. Ekholm himself had expressed surprise at how quickly his recovery had progressed.
“I didn’t think I would be in this position this quick,” Ekholm told reporters after rejoining the team for a full practice on Monday. “Our trainers have done a tremendous job with me, and the healing has gone better than I thought. But I’m just trying to take it day-by-day.”
Before his injury, Ekholm had been a key part of the Oilers’ defense, posting nine goals and 33 points in 65 regular-season games while averaging 22:12 of ice time per contest. His steady, physical presence and ability to move the puck have been crucial for Edmonton, especially in matchups against top opponents. Knoblauch has repeatedly emphasized Ekholm’s importance as a part of the team’s defensive core and leadership group.
“Mattias is a huge role for us. Whether he’s playing against other teams’ top lines, he contributes so much offensively. His offensive numbers aren’t as high as other top defensemen, but that’s just because of the other top defenseman getting their power-play points on the first unit. But five-on-five points, he’s among the leaders last two seasons, and then also on the penalty kill, he’s huge there,” Knoblauch had said.
The in-form Dallas team mounted a comeback from a 3-1 deficit and scored five goals in the third period to secure a 6-3 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday, May 21. Three of the Stars’ five goals came on power plays, highlighting Edmonton’s defensive frailty.
Tyler Seguin led the way with two goals and an assist, while Miro Heiskanen, Matt Duchene, Mikael Granlund, and Esa Lindell also tallied for Dallas. Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored for the Oilers.