Oilers D Mattias Ekholm out for first round of playoffs

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm will not be ready for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs as an undisclosed injury continues to linger.

Ekholm missed seven games in late March and early April and returned to action Friday in a home game against the San Jose Sharks. However, he only took three shifts totaling 1:52 of ice time before leaving the game for good.

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch provided the update on Ekholm's timetable Monday.

"Not confirmed, but it looks like Mattias will be out for a while and won't be returning any time soon," Knoblauch said. "He's not playing tonight and not playing in the first round of the playoffs."

The Oilers are playing host to the Los Angeles Kings, who will also be their first-round playoff opponent for the fourth year in a row. The Kings and Oilers are locked into the second and third seeds in the Pacific Division, with the order still to be determined.

Ekholm, 34, had 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists) in 65 games in his second full season with the Oilers following a 2023 trade from the Nashville Predators. The 14-year veteran has appeared in 884 career games and amassed 360 points (86 goals, 274 assists).

--Field Level Media