“I expect nothing less:” Ekholm and Skinner poised for smooth return

Is it happening?

For real this time?

Is Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch bringing back Mattias Ekholm?

It would appear so.

“We know he’s ready to go, and we also have four left-handed defencemen, so I don’t think there’s any threat of his minutes getting over what they should be,” explained Knoblauch on Ekholm’s status and potential need for adjustment. “He’s healthy, and we don’t have to worry about that.

“For (Ekholm) to come back and feeling great is a great addition to our team. Playing a shutdown role, a penalty kill role, some power play even.”

There are no hopeful platitudes of making up for the loss of Zach Hyman, because well, you just can’t. But you can bring in Jeff Skinner to, at the very least, fill a roster spot and apply the same advantages the Oilers have so easily used this playoffs against the Dallas Stars tonight.

Consistent depth scoring (check). More physicality from role players (check). And a new threat, the Stars that they hoped they could avoid — Ekholm, not Skinner — (check).

“Obviously, it’s extremely disappointing to lose Hy. He wants to be out there, but it’s great to see Ekky come back,” commented Connor McDavid post morning skate. “He’s put in a lot of hard work to get to this point. Credit to him.”

“(Hymans) physical presence has been noticeable, but he’s also a dog on the bone on the puck; he hunts the puck. There’s things he does on the lineup that can’t be replaced, but certainly, guys can come in and help fill that void,” agreed Corey Perry.

Which brings us back to Skinner, now in his 15th year in the NHL and only one post-season game to show for it.

To be fair, it’s not his fault. The Carolina Hurricanes of 10 years ago are not the same Hurricanes we saw last night, and the Buffalo Sabres haven’t made the postseason since Skinner joined the league.

But tonight marks game number two for the offseason signing.

Tonight isn’t his Cinderella story by any means. That would be an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, in which he could put his name on the Cup if the Oilers were to win it. But tonight is Skinner’s chance to make game five as frustrating for the Stars as possible.

More scraping by, less lucky break.

“He’s been nothing but a pro, he’s come to the rink every single day, he’s put in the work. He’s smiling, laughing in the dressing room and having fun with the guys,” according to Perry. “It’s an exciting time, exciting for him to come and play the way we know he can play and what he’s shown throughout the season.

“It’ll be a great opportunity.”

A great opportunity to close out the series.

A great opportunity to give Connor Brown a few more days of rest.

A great opportunity to allow Ekholm an adjustment game before the Stanley Cup finals. Of which, he has admittedly suggested he might need, though McDavid assures he is ready for.

“Those players that are coming in, they’re around, they’re a part of it. So it doesn’t feel all that different,” assured McDavid. “They’re veteran guys that are going to come in (and) play great. I expect nothing less.”

There you have it.

Per the Captain’s order, no less, and it’s not his only one.

“(We’re) excited about the opportunity. I know that’s cliche, but it’s exciting to put a team out. We’re excited about today; these are games that we get up for, and we will tonight.

“Everyone buys into that: anything to win.”

Edmonton Oilers expected lineup