Ekholm has preached, almost from the time he arrived via trade from Nashville in February 2023, that the Oilers need to be more comfortable playing in their own zone and withstanding opponents’ offensive pressure. The Golden Knights had a couple of sustained stints in the Oilers’ end in Game 5; the Oilers essentially gave up nothing.

Mattias Ekholm looked sharp in his first full skate of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday as he eyes a potential return during the Western Conference Final against Dallas

It’s been over four weeks since Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm last skated in an NHL game. The 34-year-old blue-liner missed the Oilers’ first-round playoff win over the Los Angeles Kings and their second-round victory over the Vegas Golden Knights while nursing an undisclosed injury.

There was a familiar face at Oilers practice today, as Mattias Ekholm was spotted on the ice, however, the latest update is that he is still far from a return.

Lordy, lordy, who was that Edmonton Oilers defenceman wheeling up and down the ice at the team’s final practice on Monday before the team flies to Dallas?