Oilers Defenseman Doesn't Play Final Period

Caleb Kerney

Mar 17, 2024, 05:51

Caleb Kerney

Mar 17, 2024, 05:51

An Edmonton Oilers defender didn't log a minute of ice time in the third period.

EDMONTON -- It was a fast-paced heart breaker tonight for the Edmonton Oilers.

With half a second left in the overtime period, Artturi Lehkonen scored the game winner for the Colorado Avalanche - off of a feed from Nathan MacKinnon.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWRoZkD5u3s[/embed]

It was probably one of the more entertaining 3-2 games hockey fans will ever see. The Western Conference powerhouses exchanged blows - and when the dust settled, the Oilers came up a little short.

One of the most memorable moments of the game was in the dying seconds of the second period. Towering defender Vincent Desharnais got into a spirited tilt with Josh Manson. The fight ended anti-climatically, but it must have lit a fire under the Oilers with how they came out in the third period.

Because the fight occurred with less than a minute left in the period, both players went to the dressing room - and then began the third posted up in their respective penalty boxes.

Once Desharnais skated to the bench however - his night was effectively done. Desharnais didn't skate for a single shift in the final frame, or the extra time.

When asked about Desharnais after the game, Kris Knoblauch gave The Hockey News (and other media) an update that people had on their radar, "we're gonna evaluate him with his health. Hopefully, it's not major and we're just being cautious."

Not playing Desharnais in the third period resulted in elevated ice time for a few players. Evan Bouchard logged 26:49 while Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse both earned 23 minutes.

There should be an update on Desharnais at the next practice for the Oilers. The playoffs have a day off tomorrow and will (most likely) practice on Monday.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SUyl5KwX30[/embed]

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