Edmonton Oilers News

Ekholm was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. John Klingberg will draw into the lineup in his place.

On the tail-end of a back-to-back, Pickard will be between the pipes on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 32-year-old Pickard was excellent in his most recent start, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club. He has a 2.63 GAA and .901 SV% in 27 appearances this season (17-7-1).

With Stuart Skinner battling an upper-body injury, the Oilers have recalled Rodrigue from the Bakersfield Condors (AHL), likely to serve as Calvin Pickard's backup. The 24-year-old Rodrigue has never played an NHL game and has a 3.05 GAA and .899 SV% in 40 games this season (18-15-7) with Bakersfield.

Jarry had a forgetful performance in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing four goals on seven shots before being pulled. He will have the opportunity to redeem himself, tending the twine on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Before Tuesday's outing, Jarry was playing well, posting a 2.47 GAA and .923 SV% in six appearances (4-1-0). The Penguins enter Thursday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Sabres team riding a two-game winning streak.

On the tail-end of a back-to-back, Pickard will likely be between the pipes on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 32-year-old Pickard was excellent in his most recent start, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club. He has a 2.63 GAA and .901 SV% in 27 appearances this season (17-7-1).

Lazar did not play in New Jersey's previous game, but he will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 30-year-old Lazar is averaging 10:30 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 43 games this season.

The Penguins have points in five of their previous six games (4-1-1) and will roll with Jarry between the pipes on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jarry has been solid since re-joining Pittsburgh at the beginning of the month, posting a 2.47 GAA and .923 SV% in six appearances (4-1-0). That said, Jarry has lost two straight (0-1-1), allowing six goals on 67 combined shots (.910 SV%). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable +237 road underdogs against a Lightning club outscored 10-6 during a two-game losing skid.

Draisaitl did not play in Edmonton's previous game, and he will miss at least three more, including games against the Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken, and Calgary Flames. His absence from the lineup is a crushing blow for an Oilers' offense that is already without Connor McDavid (undisclosed). The 29-year-old Draisaitl has 101 points and leads the league with 49 goals through 68 games this season.

McDavid did not play Edmonton's previous game and will miss at least the next three, including contests against the Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken, and Calgary Flames. Few updates have been provided surrounding McDavid's injury but it's a devasting blow for an Edmonton offense that is already without Leon Draisaitl (undisclosed). The 28-year-old McDavid is averaging 22:08 time-on-ice and has 90 points (26G / 64A) in 63 games this season.

Lazar has been a regular in the lineup for the Devils lately, but he will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 30-year-old Lazar is averaging 10:30 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 43 games this season.

Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch made it clear the team's main priority is having Leon Draisaitl healthy for the playoffs, which could potentially limit his usage down the stretch, and will miss his second consecutive game on Saturday. The 29-year-old Draisaitl is averaging 21:39 time-on-ice and has 101 points (49G / 52A) in 68 games this season. He had a career-high 55 goals in the 2021-22 season. With Connor McDavid also battling an undisclosed injury, the Oilers will be without their top two forward on Saturday and possibly beyond.

McDavid exited Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets after 14:59 time-on-ice on due to an undisclosed injury and will not play on Saturday as he has further testing done. The 28-year-old McDavid has 90 points (26G / 64A) in 63 games this season and has 19 points (4G / 15A) in during a 13-game point streak. With Leon Draisaitl also battling an undisclosed injury, the Oilers will be without their top two forwards on Saturday.

Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch made it clear the team's main priority is having Leon Draisaitl healthy for the playoffs, which could potentially limit his usage down the stretch. The 29-year-old Draisaitl is averaging 21:39 time-on-ice and has 101 points (49G / 52A) in 68 games this season. He had a career-high 55 goals in the 2021-22 season.

Lazar was a late scratch on Thursday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Kurtis MacDermid will draw into the lineup in his place.

Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch made it clear the team's main priority is having Leon Draisaitl healthy for the playoffs, which could potentially limit his usage down the stretch. The 29-year-old Draisaitl is averaging 21:39 time-on-ice and has 101 points (49G / 52A) in 68 games this season. He had a career-high 55 goals in the 2021-22 season.

Emberson will sit for just the third time this season when the Oilers host Utah on Tuesday. Mattias Ekholm (illness) will rejoin the lineup in his place.