Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch made it clear the team's main priority is having Leon Draisaitl healthy for the playoffs, which could potentially limit his usage down the stretch. The 29-year-old Draisaitl is averaging 21:39 time-on-ice and has 101 points (49G / 52A) in 68 games this season. He had a career-high 55 goals in the 2021-22 season.
Emberson will sit for just the third time this season when the Oilers host Utah on Tuesday. Mattias Ekholm (illness) will rejoin the lineup in his place.
With Zach Hyman (undisclosed) expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Utah Hockey Club, Jones will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Jones has one point (0G / 1A) and is averaging 9:13 time-on-ice in 12 games this season.
With Mattias Ekholm (illness) returning from a six-game absence, Stecher will be a healthy scratch. The 30-year-old Stecher is averaging 13:44 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in 53 games this season.
Ekholm has missed the previous six games for the Oilers, battling an illness, but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 34-year-old Ekholm has 27 points (8G / 19A) in 60 games this season. Troy Stecher will exit the lineup to accommodate Ekholm's return.
Hyman did not play on Sunday and saw limited ice-time in the Oilers' previous game, but will likely return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 32-year-old Hyman is averaging 19:11 time-on-ice and has 37 points (22G / 15A) in 61 games this season. Max Jones will likely exit the lineup to accommodate Hyman's return.
The Oilers are riding a two-game winning streak and will turn to Pickard between the pipes for the second time in the last three games. Pickard was solid in his previous outing, saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime win over the New York Islanders. The 32-year-old goalie has a 2.67 GAA and .898 SV% in 25 appearances this season (16-7-0). The Oilers enter Tuesday's contest as -165 home favorites against the Utah Hockey Club, coming off a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Ryan spent the first portion of the season with the Oilers, scoring five points (1G / 4A) in 33 games, but has not played an NHL game since mid January. The 38-year-old forward has eight points (3G / 5A) in 13 games with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL).
Janmark missed Thursday's game with an illness but is set to return on Friday against the New York Islanders. The 32-year-old Janmark has settled into a bottom-six role for the Oilers this season, averaging 12:56 time-on-ice and scored 17 points (2G / 15A) in 63 games this season.
Janmark was absent from practice on Wednesday, did not play on Thursday, and will be a game-time decision on Friday against the New York Islanders. The 32-year-old Janmark has settled into a bottom-six role for the Oilers this season, averaging 12:56 time-on-ice and scored 17 points (2G / 15A) in 63 games this season.
Kapanen will draw back into the Oilers lineup on Thursday after sitting out Monday's game in Buffalo. Mattias Janmark (illness) will sit in his place.
Janmark was absent from practice on Wednesday due to an illness and is unable to play on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old Janmark has settled into a bottom-six role for the Oilers this season, averaging 12:56 time-on-ice and scored 17 points (2G / 15A) in 63 games this season.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, fresh off a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils last night, the Oilers will turn to Pickard between the pipes on Friday against the New York Islanders. Pickard had a forgetful outing in his previous contest, allowing four goals on 11 shots (.636 SV%) in an eventual 6-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on March 4th. The 32-year-old Pickard has a 2.76 GAA and .896 SV% in 24 appearances this season (15-7-0). The Oilers enter Friday's contest as -130 road favorites against an Islanders team that has only scored two combined goals in their last two games (0-2-0).
Skinner allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in a disappointing loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, but he will return to the crease on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Skinner has a 2.88 GAA and .896 SV% in 44 games this season (22-16-4). The Oilers enter the action on Thursday as -132 road favorites against a Devils team that received crushing news on Thursday, announcing that Dougie Hamilton will be out for the remainder of the season.
Janmark was absent from practice on Wednesday due to an illness but could be an option to play on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old Janmark has settled into a bottom-six role for the Oilers this season, averaging 12:56 time-on-ice and scored 17 points (2G / 15A) in 63 games this season.
