Crushing News as Oilers Star Set to Miss Second Round of Playoffs Against Golden Knights

The Edmonton Oilers are heading into the second round of the playoffs, but will do so most likely without key defenseman Mattias Ekholm.

With the ousting of the Los Angeles Kings in six games, head coach Kris Knoblauch labeled Ekholm's status as uncertain as they prepare to play their next series against the Vegas Golden Knights, but all signs point to him being unavailable for all of Round 2.

Ekholm has not played since getting hurt in early April against the San Jose Sharks and did not appear in a single game in the first-round series against the Kings. He also sat out seven games earlier in the season because of another injury.

Even with those absences, the 34-year-old was a key figure on the blue line during the regular season, averaging over 22 minutes per game and contributing nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points in 65 games.

Vegas defeated the Minnesota Wild in six games, so Knoblauch saw the difference between the Kings and the Golden Knights and knows that the Oilers will have to alter some of their plans heading into Round 2.

Vegas is a different beast, and they are a championship pedigree team, so it will not be easy one bit.

This is a rematch of the 2023 playoffs, when the Golden Knights manhandled the Oilers in six games en route to capturing the franchise's first ever Stanley Cup title.

Edmonton, however, must face the chilling prospect of playing such a powerhouse organization likely without one of their most talented defensive stars.