The Edmonton Oilers are set to get a few key pieces back tonight against the Vancouver Canucks, with Devon Levi and Zach Hyman both back in the mix.
Levi will make his first start since Oct. 22 after missing seven games with an undisclosed injury, coach Mike Babcock said after Saturday’s morning skate. The goalie has gone 6-1 this season with a 3.11 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage.
“He does the work,” said Babcock after Saturday’s morning skate. “I don’t know with the goalie stuff when they get injured.
I mean, you’ve got to be so careful with them. So he’s probably been antsy for a bit here.
He’s been given the green light, so that’s good for our team, and it brings lots of energy to our group when he plays well.”
Tristan Jarry, who was sick on Thursday, is feeling better and will serve as Levi’s backup. Matt Tomkins has been sent down to the AHL, according to Babcock.
Hyman is also set to return and skate on the second line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kasperi Kapanen. Colton Dach was not on the ice.
“It’s great to be back,” said Hyman on Saturday morning. He has already dealt with two injuries early in the season and has not played since Oct. 26 against the Detroit Red Wings, when a crunching hit forced him out of the lineup.
In six games this season, Hyman has one goal.
“You have to find rhythm in your game, and you can skate all you want in the practices or in the bag skates. Games are different,” said Hyman.
“You want to find your timing, your rhythm, your legs, your lungs, the whole thing. You gotta play to do that, and I’m feeling good now.”
Trent Frederic and Ty Emberson are also candidates to return after each missed two games this week. There was no update on why Dach was off the ice or whether he is definitely out. Filip Hallander appears to be the 13th forward, and Jake Walman is expected to be scratched.
In Other News...
Oilers Get The Win They Needed But One Concern Just Grew
The Oilers got the kind of result they needed with a 4-2 win over Vancouver, and they did it with a few familiar pieces back in the mix. Connor McDavid kept his run rolling with another multi-point night, extending both his point and assist streak while helping set up goals for Mattias Ekholm and Leon Draisaitl. Devon Levi was back in net and gave Edmonton a solid enough return, turning aside 20 of 22 shots, while Zach Hyman also rejoined the lineup and chipped in an assist.
Even with the victory, the game carried a little more edge than the final score suggested. Edmontons offense looked sharp enough to keep control, but the night ended with one of the clubs regular contributors unavailable for the third period after taking a puck to the face, a reminder that the lineup remains a moving target even when the standings points come through. For a team trying to build momentum, the win mattered, but so did the concern that came with it. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Make A Blue Line Move That Puts Depth In Focus
The Oilers made a blue-line move that underscores how much roster depth matters early in the season, placing defenceman Atro Leppnen on waivers. Leppnen, who signed a one-year contract extension over the summer, has not yet appeared this season while working back from injury, leaving Edmonton to sort out where he fits once he is healthy enough to return.
If he clears waivers, Leppnen would head to the AHLs Bakersfield Condors, a familiar next step for a player trying to get his game back on track. For the Oilers, the decision keeps the focus on managing depth on defence while waiting to see how the rest of the roster settles in around him. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Suddenly Have A Goalie Decision As Help Arrives Up Front
The Oilers got a timely lift on both ends of the roster heading into their game against Vancouver, with Devon Levi and Zach Hyman coming off injured reserve. Levi, who was acquired in the offseason and had been handling the crease before his injury, gives Edmonton another option in goal, while Hymans return from a neck injury adds a needed jolt up front after he missed several games.
The roster shuffle to make room for those moves sent Matt Tomkins down to the AHLs Bakersfield Condors, and it leaves Edmonton with a fresh decision in net as the lineup gets healthier. Hymans presence should help the Oilers forward group, but the bigger immediate question is how the team chooses to manage the crease now that Levi is back in the mix. [Read more 🡒]