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Oilers Reveal Big Injury Update on Mattias Ekholm

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated May 13, 2025 7:14 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers took a 3-1 series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of their playoff series, putting them just one win away from the Western Conference Final. Edmonton will be heading back on the road for Game 5 as they look to close the series out.

If the team is able to advance, they could get a massive piece back in the rotation. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch provided a big injury update on defenseman Mattias Ekholm, saying that he could return in the next round.

"Mattias has been on the ice for light skates," Knoblauch said. "He will not be joining us this series. We're hopeful that he can join us next series if we can get to that."

Ekholm has only played in one game since March 26, but has missed the postseason due to an undisclosed injury. During the regular season, the defenseman provided Edmonton with nine goals and 24 assists.

If the Oilers can close out Vegas in Game 5, they will get multiple extra days off before the Western Conference Final. This could allow Ekholm more time to fully be able to return to the ice.

"Obviously there's a lot of benefits of winning that next game," Knoblauch said. “One, you don't give that opportunity for Vegas to put together a string of wins, and then also the ability just to have some downtime, guys can rest and not add on."

"You know, the bumps and bruises through the playoff season as it goes, guys get banged up and it's a physical game, as we've talked about. But I think right now that's an extra benefit."

If the Oilers are able to get Ekholm back, it could massively help their chances of returning to the Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton has been very good without him, but any extra depth at this point in the year helps.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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