Mattias Ekholm appears to be getting closer to returning to game action.
The Edmonton Oilers defenseman participated in his first full team practice on Monday. This marks a significant step since he was sidelined with an undisclosed injury on April 11.
Ekholm is already ruled out for the initial two games of the Oilers` Western Conference Final series against the Dallas Stars. However, head coach Kris Knoblauch expressed optimism that the veteran Swedish blue-liner could potentially make a return at some point later in the series.
If Ekholm is able to return, it would represent a remarkably fast recovery. His initial estimated timeline for return was reportedly set at 15 weeks.
Following the practice session, Ekholm shared his perspective: “I didn`t think I would be in this position this quick. … Today was the first time with the team on the ice in a full practice. Now it`s a matter of how do I feel tomorrow? I`m trying to be on a day-to-day basis.”
Game 1 of the highly anticipated Oilers-Stars series is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT.
While Ekholm has been out, Edmonton`s defense corps has relied on players such as Ty Emberson and Troy Stecher. Emberson skated in the first nine playoff contests, and Stecher, who hadn`t appeared in a playoff game since 2022, joined the lineup starting in Game 4.
Although losing Ekholm is a significant absence on the defensive end, the Oilers have found success recently, winning eight of their last nine games after dropping the opening two games of their first-round series against Los Angeles.
