The Edmonton Oilers are heading to the Western Conference Finals after dispatching the Vegas Golden Knights, giving them valuable time to rest and regroup. With a chance to recover and reset, the team is also awaiting updates on key injured players, including a crucial piece on the blue line. As the Oilers prepare for the next round, all eyes are on the potential return of a top defenseman, Mattias Ekholm, who has yet to make his playoff debut this year.
When Ekholm finally steps back onto the ice, it will undoubtedly shake up the Oilers’ defensive lineup. The question now is how head coach Kris Knoblauch will manage the rotation – will the team opt to carry seven defensemen, or will someone be forced out to make room? With multiple players stepping up in his absence, deciding who stays and who sits could be one of the toughest lineup decisions the Oilers face this postseason.
The Oilers have a dilemma on their hands – how to adjust the defensive lineup once Mattias Ekholm returns. With several defensemen stepping up in Ekholm’s absence, head coach Kris Knoblauch faces the difficult decision of who to sit out. While Ekholm’s calibre and experience make him a lock to re-enter the lineup if he’s fully healthy, it means that at least one current player will have to be relegated to the press box.
If the Oilers opt to stick with a six-defenseman rotation, the odd men out appear to be Troy Stecher and Ty Emberson. Both players have been solid contributors throughout the playoffs, helping the Oilers secure a spot in the Conference Finals. Stetcher’s physicality and Emberson’s steady presence on the blue line have been valuable in keeping opposing offenses in check. However, with Ekholm ready to reclaim his top-pairing role, one of them will likely be the casualty of a lineup change.
Stecher, in particular, has shown flashes of strong defensive play and even chipped in offensively at times. But when it comes to playoff experience and high-pressure situations, Ekholm brings a level of poise and leadership that can’t be overlooked. The Oilers’ defensive structure has lacked that stabilizing presence, and Ekholm’s ability to log big minutes against top lines makes him a critical addition moving forward.
For Emberson, the situation is slightly different. He’s been a reliable, stay-at-home defenseman who has rarely made glaring mistakes, but he doesn’t bring the same two-way capabilities that Ekholm offers. In a series that will only get tougher, having a proven top-pairing defenseman who can also contribute offensively is invaluable. That could make Emberson the more likely candidate to sit out once Ekholm is cleared to play.
The other option for Knoblauch is to dress seven defensemen, allowing both Stecher and Emberson to remain in the lineup while easing Ekholm back into action. This strategy would give the Oilers flexibility in matchups and allow Ekholm to gradually regain his game shape without overextending him in his first game back. However, it would also mean sacrificing a forward spot, potentially impacting offensive depth.
Ultimately, the decision will come down to how Knoblauch wants to balance experience with chemistry. Ekholm is a proven leader and a workhorse on the blue line, but disrupting a lineup that has been winning without him is a risky move. Still, with the stakes higher than ever, the Oilers will likely lean on their top talent to get the job done – and that means Ekholm will be a key piece of the puzzle as they chase a Stanley Cup berth.