Kris Knoblauch officially confirms Oilers will be down three men in Game 1.

The Edmonton Oilers were already going to be at less than 100% with the unfortunate injury to defenseman Mattias Ekholm late in the regular season but, on Sunday, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch officially confirmed that he and the Oilers would be missing at least two additional players in Game 1.

"Mattias Ekholm is not ready, Troy Stecher is not ready, Evander Kane is not ready," said a frustrated sounding Kris Knoblauch.

Knoblauch didn't offer any kind of prognosis on either Ekholm or Stecher but he did sound optimistic when speaking of Evander Kane, suggesting that he may indeed become a factor in this series despite missing all of the 2024-25 regular season.

"Close but not ready, so he will not play Game 1," specified Knoblauch when speaking of Kane.

It sounds like there is one more member of the Oilers roster whose status may be in question for tomorrow's game. Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak was notably absent from the team's morning skate on Sunday, something that drew the attention of reporters that cover the team.

Knoblauch offered an explanation for Kulak's absence, one that seemed to leave some doubt about whether or not he will appear in Game 1.

"He is in Canmore today," revealed Knoblauch. "His wife is due tomorrow morning, he is expected to join us and be on the ice for the game tomorrow."

The Oilers acquired gritty forward Trent Frederic in a trade with the Boston Bruins ahead of the trade deadline but were only able to deploy Frederic in a single regular season game due to injury. On Sunday, Knoblauch revealed that Frederic was a possibility for Game 1, but admitted his status was up in the air.

"Frederic is still day to day," said Knoblauch. "He is a possibility tomorrow but it has not been determined."

There's no question that the Oilers are coming into Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs bruised and battered.