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Kris Knoblauch Provides Major Injury Update on Mattias Ekholm Ahead of 3rd Round

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 16, 2025 1:56 PM ET

Mattias Ekholm has been out for the Oilers first two series, but now optimism is growing that we'll see him on the ice again in the Oilers next round.

The Edmonton Oilers lost their first two Stanley Cup Playoff games to the Los Angeles Kings, but since that point, the team have been on fire, winning eight of their next nine games as they have punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals for the third straight season.

They've managed to do so without defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who has been a rock on their blue line for the past few years, and now, the team may be on the verge of getting some good news.

When Head Coach Kris Knoblauch was asked about Ekholm's status ahead of a matchup with either the Dallas Stars or the Winnipeg Jets, and he revealed some great news for Oilers fans.

According to Knoblauch, the veteran defenseman won't be back for Game 1 or 2 in Winnipeg/Dallas, but when the series shifts home to Edmonton for Game 3, there's a good chance we could again see him on the ice.

While Knoblauch didn't give an exact timeline, he was optimistic that Ekholm could be back at some point in the third round, and if the Oilers make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, it's almost a guarantee that he'll be on the ice once more.

In 25 games of the Oilers run to the Finals a year ago, Ekholm posted 5 goals and 10 points while playing stellar defense alongside the offensive minded Evan Bouchard, and with the team playing the way they are, his return would be an incredible boost.

It won't be easy to get through the next two rounds, but right now the Oilers are red-hot, and if Ekholm can be anywhere near 100%, there's no doubting that this team may be considered the favourite to take home the Stanley Cup right now.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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