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Edmonton Oilers: Three Injured Players to Return Friday

By Sammi Silber

Feb 21, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Iiro Pakarinen (26) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Iiro Pakarinen (26) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Three injured Edmonton Oilers forwards will return full-time Friday. Benoit Pouliot, Iiro Pakarinen and Kris Russell will return to the lineup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pouliot has not played since Feb. 11 against Chicago and has been out with an undisclosed injury. He apparently hurt himself during a team practice. The 31-year-old forward has just five goals and 10 points through 51 games this season and spoke of his hardships.

Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers /

Edmonton Oilers

“The whole year has been a struggle,” Pouliot told the Edmonton Sun. “It’s frustrating. I get down at times, but I stay positive as much as I can. There’s still time left, there’s a bunch of games left and playoffs are coming. It’s a time to redeem and get back to what I’m supposed to do.”

Pouliot will return to the lineup and take Drake Caggiula’s spot on the third line. He will skate alongside David Desharnais and Zack Kassian.

Pakarinen, who recently returned from injury only to draw back out soon after, will reenter the lineup, coming in for Jujhar Khaira on the fourth line RW. We will get to see how he performs in action with the team, as he has come in clutch for the Oilers. The Finnish forward has played just eight games this

The Finnish forward has played just eight games this season but has a goal and three points and is a plus-2.

Lastly, the Oilers will get back the services of Kris Russell. The veteran blueliner has been in and out of the lineup with constant injuries and has struggled with adversity and battling ailments to stay in the lineup. Finally healthy, he will return to the top-four, slotting in as Eric Gryba draws back out of the lineup.

These players will get the chance to show the team what they’ve been missing as they look for a victory against Pittsburgh. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. MT.

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