The Edmonton Oilers will have forwards Zach Hyman and Colton Dach, along with defenceman Jake Walman, back in the lineup from injury for a rematch against the Utah Mammoth on Saturday night, Oct. 17, at Delta Center.
The return of the three skaters comes as the Oilers seek to respond to a 4-2 home loss against the Central Division side on Thursday, Oct. 16.
According to line rushes from the pre-game skate, Colton Dach is poised to centre the second line alongside Zach Hyman and Kasperi Kapanen. Jake Walman is expected to join Ty Emberson on the third defensive pairing.
Shakir Mukhamadullin was the seventh defenceman during the skate, while Josh Samanski and Max Jones served as the extra forwards. Goalie Tristan Jarry is scheduled to start his third game of the season.
The projected lineup includes Podkolzin, McDavid, and Draisaitl on one line, while Kapanen, Dach, and Hyman occupy another. The defensive corps features Ekholm and Bouchard, with Walman and Emberson on the third pairing.
Head coach Mike Babcock stated that the minutes of the returning players will need to be managed as they get back up to speed. Babcock noted that he intends to monitor their performance and will adjust playing time based on their readiness.
Babcock expressed a desire to empower the rest of the lineup by playing more players regularly to reduce the burden on the top lines. He noted that while a group of five players has a combined +62 season statistic, the rest of the lineup has a combined -8 plus/minus.
The Oilers' recent schedule included a 4-1 victory over the Kings on Oct. 13 and a 3-1 win against the Sharks on Oct. 10. Earlier in the season, the Mammoth defeated the Oilers 4-2 on Oct. 15.
