Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm out for first round of playoffs

Mattias Ekholm isn’t coming back any time soon.

The defenceman will miss at least the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters Monday.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on the “Saturday Headlines” segment of Hockey Night in Canada that the Oilers are preparing for the possibility that Ekholm will not return this year.

The Swede returned on Friday night after a seven-game absence with an undisclosed injury, but played just two shifts before he was forced to exit early after aggravating an existing ailment.

Ekholm, 34, has recorded 33 points (nine goals and 24 assists) while averaging 22:12 minutes in 64 games this season.

Meanwhile, Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman will sit out Monday as the Oilers face the Los Angeles Kings.