The Edmonton Oilers lost their second game in a row on Monday night. The absence of a major piece of their defensive puzzle likely played a role.
The Edmonton Oilers have experienced defensive struggles following an injury to defenseman Mattias Ekholm, Sean Mallon writes for Oil On Whyte. Edmonton suffered consecutive losses, including a shootout defeat against the Detroit Red Wings and a third-period collapse against the Toronto Maple Leafs, right after Ekholm exited a game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Mallon argues that Ekholm serves as a vital stabilizing presence alongside offensive partner Evan Bouchard. With several newer defensemen adapting to the lineup, the writer notes that the team's defensive cohesion has weakened significantly without him, though Ekholm is expected to return to action relatively soon.
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