Injured Ekholm could return to Edmonton Oilers lineup in these playoffs: report
It sounds like the Edmonton Oilers will need a long playoff run if they want to see Mattias Ekholm play another game this season.
The Oilers found a way to tie up their first-round series against the LA Kings on Sunday night without the hulking Swede, but there is no doubt that the team is missing him. Defensive lapses have become a regular occurrence without Ekholm in the lineup, and the penalty kill has sputtered as well.
We already know that he won’t be ready to return for the opening round, but a new report from Sports 1440’s Jason Gregor says a lengthy run could see Ekholm eventually return to action.
“Update on Ekholm. He has responded well. And now there is a chance he could return LATER in playoffs,” wrote Gregor. “Not this round. Unlikely in second round but then… maybe.”
Update on Ekholm. He has responded well. And now there is a chance he could return LATER in playoffs. Not this round. Unlikely in second round but then… maybe.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) April 28, 2025
We still don’t know the exact nature of Ekholm’s injury. He last played on April 11 against the San Jose Sharks after missing the previous seven games. However, Ekholm had to leave that game after suffering another injury.
Edmonton has been relying on Darnell Nurse to take over that spot in the playoffs, but that hasn’t exactly gone to plan so far. Nurse has been on the ice for 12 goals against through four games and just three goals for during that span.
Evan Bouchard has also struggled defensively without Ekholm as his regular partner, though he has broken out offensively with four goals, which is tied for the NHL playoff lead.
Getting Ekholm back on the ice this season will require Edmonton to find a way past the Kings and then one of the Vegas Golden Knights or the Minnesota Wild in the second round as well. It’ll be an uphill battle for this Oilers squad, but they showed on Sunday night that they are never out of things.