Oilers optimistic Ekholm can return in Western Conference Final

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm appears to be on track to return to action at some point during the Western Conference Final.

"He's day-to-day, and I'm not anticipating him being ready for Game 1 or 2," head coach Kris Knoblauch said Friday, per NHL.com's Derek Van Diest. "But we're optimistic that, maybe some time in the third round, he will join us."

Ekholm last played a full game March 26. He missed seven contests afterward due to an undisclosed injury, then could only manage three shifts in his return April 11 before hitting the shelf again.

The Oilers have overcome his absence, going 8-3 in the playoffs. Edmonton ousted the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in Round 2 and will play either the Winnipeg Jets or Dallas Stars in Round 3.

Ekholm is the Oilers' top shutdown defenseman. He averaged over 22 minutes per night in 65 games this season and chipped in 33 points. Knoblauch expects it'll take the veteran rearguard some time to adjust to game speed whenever he returns.

"To expect Ekholm, when he does join us, that he's going to be the Ekholm that he saw last year in the playoffs, I don't think that's going to be the case," Knoblauch said. "Whether it takes him one, two, four, or five games, whatever it is, I think he'll be able to help us in some aspect immediately, and that will be up to him. I'm not sure how he's feeling."

Knoblauch also noted goaltender Calvin Pickard is close to returning. Pickard won six consecutive starts after the Oilers fell into a 2-0 hole against the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1 but was injured in Game 2 against Vegas. Stuart Skinner has been solid since taking the net back, posting back-to-back shutouts to close out the Golden Knights.