Ekholm is expected to be back in the Predators lineup on Tuesday.
The Predators cited "baby reasons" for why he missed Monday's game but he is expected to be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Expect Ekholm to replace Jared Tinordi on the blueline.
Edmonton Oilers News
Ekholm will not play Monday because of "baby reasons."
Koekkoek will be scratched Monday in Ottawa.
Goalie Start
Smith will start Monday in Ottawa.
Smith missed 12 of the first 13 games of the 2021 season with an undisclosed injury but will make his debut Monday in Ottawa. Smith struggled in 2020, going 19-12-6 with a 2.95 GAA and .902 SV%. Monday's matchup will see him face a Senators team that is 2-9-1 but have played better in their last two games.
Goalie Start
Smith is expected to make his first start of the season on Monday.
Smith missed 12 of the first 13 games of the 2021 season with an undisclosed injury but will make his debut Monday in Ottawa. Smith struggled in 2020, going 19-12-6 with a 2.95 GAA and .902 SV%. Monday's matchup will see him face a Senators team that is 2-9-1 but have played better in their last two games.
Smith (undisclosed) has been activated from LTIR on Sunday.
Smith was placed on IR in mid-January and missed 12 of the last 13 games with an undisclosed injury. WIth Smith being activated on Sunday, there's a good chance that he'll make his season debut Monday in Ottawa or Tuesday in the second-game of the back-to-back.
Line Change
Jones will not be in the Ducks lineup on Tuesday.
Line Change
Henrique will draw back into the Ducks lineup on Tuesday.
Line Change
Kulak will draw back into the Canadiens lineup on Tuesday.
Line Change
Bouchard will make his season debut on Tuesday.
Bouchard was the No.10 overall pick in 2018 and appeared in seven games with the Oilers in 2018-19. The 21-year-old, who had 36 points (7G / 29A) in 54 games with Bakersfield (AHL) last year, will make his season debut vs. the Senators and is expected to skate on the third pair with Kris Russell.
Goalie Start
Skinner led the Oilers onto the ice for warmups.
Line Change
Henrique will be a healthy scratch on Sunday.
Goalie Start
Skinner is expected to start Sunday vs. the Senators.
Line Change
Brown will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday.
Koekkoek will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday.
Koekkoek has been steady on the Oilers' blueline this season, so he'll be a bit of a surprise scratch on Tuesday. With Koekkoek sitting, Caleb Jones will draw back into the lineup for the first time since January 16th.
The Ducks have added Max Jones to the 23-man roster.
Jones is expected to make his season debut on Friday after replacing Sonny Milano (undisclosed) on the roster. Jones had 12 points (8G / 4A) in 59 games a season ago.
The Oilers placed Mike Smith on LTIR.
Smith was scheduled to start on Thursday but was scratched due to injury and it’s obviously serious enough to land him on LTIR, which will cost him a minimum of 24 days. With Smith out, Mikko Koskinen is the only NHL-calibre goalie on their roster and could force the Oilers to make a move after losing Anton Forsberg on waivers last week.
Line Change
Frederic will replace Craig Smith in the Bruins' opening night lineup.
Arvidsson (undisclosed) is expected to play in the Predators season opener.
Arvidsson missed Wednesday's practice but head coach John Hynes expects him to be available for Thursday's game vs. the Blue Jackets. Arvidsson will look to bounce back after a down 2020 season, where he had just 15 goals and 13 assists (28 points) in 57 games.
The Oilers signed Slater Koekkoek to a one-year deal worth $850K.
Koekkoek played well in his first full season with the Blackhawks, particularly after he was paired up with Olli Maatta. The duo put up some terrific underlying numbers and Koekkoek set a new career-high with 10 points (1G / 9A) in just 42 games. In Edmonton, he'll provide some depth on the blueline and will likely serve as a reserve most of the time. However, he should be the first man in whenever there is an injury.