As the NHL regular season draws to a close, the Edmonton Oilers are facing some significant injury concerns ahead of their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings. While the Pacific Division rivals are set to clash on Monday night, the Oilers’ lineup is far from ideal, which could put them at a disadvantage when the playoffs begin on April 19. In contrast, the Kings look poised to enter the postseason with a mostly healthy roster.
Key Injuries Impacting the Oilers’ Playoff Push
On Monday, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch provided an update on the team’s injury situation, and the news was concerning for fans hoping for a full-strength lineup. The biggest blow comes on defense, where Mattias Ekholm is expected to miss the first round of the playoffs. The 34-year-old defenseman has only played 1:52 of ice time in April due to a significant injury, and his absence leaves a major hole in the Oilers’ defense.
In addition to Ekholm, trade deadline acquisition Trent Frederic is questionable for Game 1. The 27-year-old center, who has only played one game for Edmonton—a seven-minute stint against the Kings on April 5—hasn’t had much time to settle into the lineup, and his potential absence is another concern.
The Oilers will also be missing two of their star players in Monday’s game against the Kings. Connor McDavid, the team’s superstar forward, and Zach Hyman will not play, as both are being held out for precautionary reasons. McDavid had missed eight games in late March, while Hyman hasn’t played since last Friday after suffering an injury.
While the Oilers are also dealing with injuries to Leon Draisaitl, Jake Walman, and Troy Stetcher, Knoblauch remains optimistic that all three will be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs. Another bright spot is the potential return of Evander Kane, who still needs to be cleared to play but is expected to make his season debut soon.
Oilers Call Up AHL Players as Depth Gets Tested
With so many injuries, the Oilers have been forced to make some adjustments. The team has called up defenseman Josh Brown from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors to help bolster the blue line. Additionally, Quinn Hutson will make his NHL debut after signing an entry-level contract on Monday. Hutson is the oldest brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson and Washington Capitals forward Cole Hutson, so hockey fans may already be familiar with his family name.
Kings Are Primed for Playoff Push
In contrast, the Los Angeles Kings seem to be in a stronger position heading into the playoffs. While defenseman Joel Edmundson is unavailable due to an upper-body injury, and left winger Tanner Jeannot has been out since March 25, the Kings are still expected to have most of their key players available when the first round begins. This gives them a significant advantage over the Oilers, who are struggling with multiple injuries.
The Kings also have a three-point lead over the Oilers in the standings, which means they could clinch home-ice advantage for the series. The Kings have been dominant at home this season, with the most home wins in the league—31—further enhancing their chances of success in the playoffs.
With several key players injured and uncertainty surrounding others, the Edmonton Oilers face a tough challenge heading into the playoffs. While their star power, led by McDavid and Draisaitl, can carry them through, the lack of a fully healthy roster could make it difficult to overcome a strong Kings team. The Kings, on the other hand, appear to be in a more favorable position, with most of their lineup intact and the added benefit of home-ice advantage.
The first-round matchup between these two Pacific Division rivals promises to be an exciting and intense series, but the Oilers will need to overcome their injury troubles if they hope to advance.
