Edmonton Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais is being evaluated for an injury after a fight Saturday night.
It occurred in the second period of the Oilers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. With just over 30 seconds left in the period, a scrum occurred near the Oilers’ net when Avs defenceman Josh Manson tried to hit Desharnais into goaltender Stuart Skinner.
Players took exception, and a number of players — including Desharnais and Manson — scrummed near the boards. Desharnais pulled off Manson’s helmet, and the pair separated from the group, and the gloves came off. Both players landed a punch or two, staying on their feet, and skated to their respective locked rooms.
WATCH: Vincent Desharnais vs. Josh Manson
While there was no visible injury, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Desharnais “could be” dealing with an injury related to it.
“We’re just going to evaluate him with his health. We’ll see,” he said, before adding “hopefully it’s not major. We’re just being cautious.”
The 6’7″ Desharnais skated 12:29 prior to the fight, but didn’t take a shift in the third period. It was his fourth fight of the season, and fifth since joining the Oilers partway through the 2022-23 season.
If he were to miss time, Troy Stecher, acquired by the Oilers at the NHL’s trade deadline, would fill in on the right-side of the Oilers defence. He made his debut with the team Wednesday, skating 13:55 against the Washington Capitals, taking two minor penalties, laying five hits and blocking one shot.
Edmonton’s staff will have a few days to evaluate Desharnais, as the Oilers don’t play again until Tuesday, when the Montreal Canadiens visit Rogers Place. Then, they go through a one-day on, one-day off slew of games culminating in back-to-back games against the Avalanche and Calgary Flames on April 5th and 6th, respectively.
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