Mattias Ekholm re-injures himself by falling on his own twice in return to Oilers

On Friday night, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm made his return to the lineup against the San Jose Sharks following seven-game injury absence. It has been a tough couple of months for the blue liner, who has played just four of the past 17 games after missing the past seven due to an undisclosed injury in addition to an illness that kept of the lineup for a six-game stretch through mid-March.

It was supposed to be different on Friday night, but unfortunately, it was more of the same.

In the first period, Ekholm fell twice on his own in his last shift and had to go straight back to the Oilers’ bench, and then was seen heading down the tunnel to the dressing room. He has not returned to the game with fans fearing he’s injured himself again.

In the first frame, Ekholm has only played three shifts for less than two minutes of ice time. And that might be it for tonight.

Ahead of his return tonight, Ekholm had made 64 outings with the Oilers in which he had recorded nine goals and 24 assists.

Edmonton cannot afford to lose him longer than it already has… especially with the postseason around the corner.