EDMONTON – Death, taxes, and change are just a few of the guarantees in this world.

However, you can add ‘injuries in the NHL playoffs’ to that list.

The Edmonton Oilers pulled out a 7-4 statement win over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night. They did so without the services of one Troy Stecher, who is yet to play during the 2025 playoffs.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

On Saturday morning, head coach Kris Knoblauch met with the media to field questions. During the scrum, he discussed his mentality when assessing where to insert injured players when they return to the lineup.

Trending Oilers Stories

Oilers' Draisaitl Can Join Messier, Gretzky EDMONTON – Positivity can work wonders.

How Oilers Stuart Skinner Is Better Than Darcy Kuemper

Oilers Key Player Grades: Bouchard, Kane, Pickard

Corey Perry Will Cost Oilers More In New Year

Mark Carney Has Message For Oilers

Oilers 2025 Playoff Schedule vs. Kings

Messier Would Love Oilers To 'Bring It Full Circle' EDMONTON – “It was incredible to be in the rink in Game Six last year.”

“Who gives us what?” Knoblauch revealed. “Sometimes a better player is getting taken out of the lineup, but it comes down to a role.” 

“What do we need? Where would that player play and who is he playing with? Or (do) you need a certain amount of speed or physicality as a group?

All of the line juggling certainly makes more sense when you take this quote into context. Whenever an injured player comes back, these are all of the things that go through the coach’s mind.

Troy Stecher

Speaking of when an injured player comes back, Stecher will make his return very soon. Knoblauch had an update on where Stecher is at with his health.

“He has been cleared,” Knoblauch revealed. “Now we balance all those topics we talked about, not practicing, coming back from an injury, is he 100 percent? We feel he is.”

Oilers Troy Stecher And Kasperi Kapanen Visit Beautiful Golf Course On Vacation With Significant Others A few Edmonton Oilers teammates decided to meet up while on vacation.

“But after not skating or practicing for a certain amount of time, are you at 100 percent to play? Physically? Yes he is. Those are all those decisions we have to make.”

Considering the game that everyone had on Friday night, when Stecher makes his return to game action, it will either be at the expense of an injury or Ty Emberson. Stecher has a lot of grit and determination in his game, and he is a fierce competitor.

That should make it easy to find a place to insert him into the lineup.

Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.