NHL Player News

Ekblad registered an assist, four hits and four blocked shots in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Hurricanes in Game 3.

Ekblad has a goal and three assists in the Eastern Conference Finals, and he's gotten on the scoresheet in seven of his last nine games. Overall, the defenseman has produced 10 points, 25 shots on net, 29 hits, 15 blocks, 24 PIM and a plus-7 rating over 11 playoff outings. Ekblad continues to thrive in a top-four role on defense, which includes power-play usage, though just two of his 10 points have come with the man advantage.

Mikkola sustained an apparent upper-body injury in Saturday's Game 3 versus the Hurricanes, but the defenseman is expected to be okay for Game 4 on Monday, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.

Mikkola was having arguably one of the best games of his career, scoring two goals while adding five hits in 15:09 of ice time before he went awkwardly into the boards in the third period. Given the update from head coach Paul Maurice, Mikkola should be probable to play in Game 4, which could see the Panthers book their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third straight year. His status should be confirmed in the coming days.

Walker (undisclosed) won't play Saturday in Game 3 versus the Panthers, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Walker participated in part of warmups but ultimately won't be able to suit up for Game 3. The 30-year-old defenseman was a game-time decision after sustaining an injury he was able to partially play through in Game 2. Walker will be replaced by Alexander Nikishin in the lineup Saturday.

Walker (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Game 3 in Florida on Saturday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Walker participated in Saturday's morning skate, but he left the ice before the end of practice. Walker was injured in the second period of Game 2 against the Panthers on Thursday, playing only 9:52. Should Walker sit out Saturday's clash, look for rookie Alexander Nikishin to enter the lineup.

Chatfield (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Game 3 against the Panthers on Saturday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.

Chatfield wasn't a participant in Saturday's morning skate and will miss a fourth straight game with an injury that has kept him out since the final contest of Carolina's second-round series against the Capitals. The 29-year-old has played well when he's been in the lineup, scoring a goal and holding a plus-6 rating across nine appearances this postseason.

Per Ryan Rishaug of TSN on Saturday, head coach Kris Knoblauch has not ruled Ekholm (undisclosed) out of Games 3 and 4 against Dallas.

Ekholm is still day-to-day, according to Knoblauch. He has missed 23 of the last 24 games, seeing just 1:52 of ice time against the Stars on March 26. Should Ekholm return to the lineup, John Klingberg could become the odd man out.

Walman logged an assist, three shots on goal, three blocked shots and two hits in Friday's 3-0 win over the Stars in Game 2.

Walman has yet to earn more than one point in any playoff round. He's playing in the a third-pairing role for the Oilers, who haven't had to lean on him as much because John Klingberg has been a good fit since entering the lineup. Walman now has a goal, two assists, a plus-12 rating, 22 shots on net, 18 hits, 33 blocked shots and six PIM through 13 playoff contests.

Bouchard notched two assists, including one on the power play, and blocked three shots in Friday's 3-0 win over the Stars in Game 2.

Bouchard has six multi-point efforts over 13 playoff games. He's opened the Western Conference Finals with a goal and two assists over two contests as he continues to play a leading role on the Oilers' blue line. Overall, he's racked up five goals, 10 assists, 31 shots on net, 18 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating this postseason.

Kulak scored a goal in Friday's 3-0 win over the Stars in Game 2.

Kulak got a second chance on a rush play and buried the goal to put the Oilers ahead 2-0 at 15:23 of the second period. This snapped a six-game point drought for the defenseman. He's seeing top-four minutes at this stage of the playoffs, though his role could be reduced if Mattias Ekholm (undisclosed) is able to return during the Western Conference Finals. Kulak has three points, a plus-5 rating, 15 shots on net, 10 hits and 23 blocked shots over 13 playoffs appearances.

Walker (undisclosed) is questionable for Game 3 in Florida on Saturday, according to Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News.

Walker was injured in Game 2 on Thursday. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Friday that Walker was "better than he thought he would be" and is considered iffy for Game 3. Should Walker be unavailable, look for Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed) or Alexander Nikishin to enter the lineup.