Oilers enforcer returns in time to face Maple Leafs.
The Edmonton Oilers will get some muscle back on the blue line when they face the Maple Leafs.
The Edmonton Oilers will be a little tougher on the blue line tonight.
According to a report from National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman, Oilers defenseman Vincent Desharnais is set to make his return to the lineup since suffering an injury earlier this month. Manson was injured on the 16th of March when he was engaged in a fight with the Colorado Avalanche's Josh Manson, with Desharnais leaving the game and not returning after that exchange.
Desharnais was rumored to have suffered a broken finger that fight which makes his return after missing just 2 games pretty incredible.
The addition of Desharnais will give the Oilers some extra toughness in the lineup as they are set to take on the playoff bound Toronto Maple Leafs, a Maple Leafs team that is limping into tonight's game with a significant number of injures.
It will be interesting to see how willing Desharnais is to engage after coming off of such a significant injury in such a short amount of time, especially considering the fact that the injuries to the Maple Leafs have all but forced them to insert enforcer Ryan Reaves into the lineup this evening. Desharnais has had 4 fights thus far this season.
Here is the Oilers full projected lineup for tonight:
Forwards:
Draisaitl - McDavid - Hyman
Foegele - RNH - McLeod
Kane - Henrique - Perry
Janmark - Carrick - Brown
Defensemen:
Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Desharnais
Kulak - Ceci
Goalie:
Skinner