After last night's victory over the Vancouver Canucks, Kris Knoblauch gave an injury update on Calvin Pickard and Darnell Nurse.
After last night's victory over the Vancouver Canucks, Kris Knoblauch gave an injury update on Calvin Pickard and Darnell Nurse.
EDMONTON -- Winning feels good, but getting players back also feels good.
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The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks last night by a 3-2 final score. Corey Perry proved he could still be effective, while Viktor Arvidsson and Leon Draisaitl sealed the victory in the shootout.
Almost more important than the win was Kris Knoblauch's injury update for both Darnell Nurse and Calvin Pickard.
"He has been cleared, he can play," Knoblauch said of Nurse. "He has been participating in every single drill. He has been physical, he feels well, (but) we need to be cautious and not putting him in the lineup and overextending him where he's playing 25 minutes in the first game, 25 minutes the next night."
"I don't think that would be good."
Nurse's importance to the Oilers' blueline cannot be understated. Right now, he anchors the second pairing. His health is paramount for this team's long-term success this season.
Knoblauch also gave an update on Pickard's situation.
"He's going to go on the ice tomorrow just with Dustin (Schwartz) and participate in practice before we go to Seattle on Wednesday. Then he'll have some shots with the players."
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"So he's coming along nicely."
It would certainly be a good sign for the Oilers if both of these players can get into game action before the season kicks off later this month.
The Oilers continue their pre-season on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. They wrap up with their last exhibition game on Friday night against the Vancouver Canucks.
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