Oilers Coach Makes Playoffs Admission About New Injured Player

The Edmonton Oilers clinched a playoff berth Friday night with a 4–2 win over the San Jose Sharks, but the victory might have come at a steep cost.

Mattias Ekholm and Zach Hyman both exited the game early, and head coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged that one of the two might not be available when the playoffs begin on April 19.

Ekholm had just returned to the lineup after missing seven straight games with a lower-body issue. His comeback lasted only two shifts before he was seen struggling to stay upright on the ice. After 1:52 of ice time, he left and did not return.

In the second period, Hyman was clipped by Sharks' Henry Thrun and did not return for the third. He had logged 7:14 of ice time by the time he left and logged two shots on goal before being ruled out alongside Ekholm during the second intermission.