Oilers Face Panthers Without Key Defenseman

SUNRISE, FL – The Edmonton Oilers will be without defenseman Jake Walman as they face off against the Florida Panthers tonight at Amerant Bank Arena. The game, a rematch of the past two Stanley Cup Finals, is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NHL Network.

Walman's absence was unexpected, as he was not present during the team's morning warm-up. The nature and severity of his injury remain undisclosed, but his absence leaves a significant hole in the Oilers' defensive lineup.

The Oilers are currently on a seven-game road trip and are looking to end a three-game losing streak. Their most recent loss came against the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime. The Oilers' record stands at 9-9-5, placing them 12th in the Western Conference.

In Walman's absence, the Oilers may need to shuffle their defensive pairings. Other defensemen on the roster include Darnell Nurse, Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Brett Kulak, and Vincent Desharnais.

The Florida Panthers, who have won the last two Stanley Cup Finals against the Oilers, are also dealing with injuries to key players. Matthew Tkachuk is expected to return next month, while Aleksander Barkov is likely out for the season. Despite these injuries, the Panthers have been finding their groove, winning four of their last five games. Their current record is 11-8-1, positioning them 12th in the Eastern Conference.

The Oilers' goaltending has been a concern this season. In their recent game against the Capitals, they allowed seven goals. The team's save percentage is .857, which ranks among the lowest in the league.

Offensively, the Oilers are led by Connor McDavid, who has 32 points in 23 games. Leon Draisaitl is another key contributor, with 27 points. The Oilers have scored 67 goals this season, which ranks 6th in the league.

The Panthers' offense is led by Brad Marchand, who has 23 points in 19 games. Sam Reinhart has also been a key contributor, with 11 goals and six assists. The Panthers have scored 2.9 goals per game, ranking them 23rd in the league.

The Oilers' power play has been a strong point, ranking 3rd in the league at 29.82%. The Panthers' power play is ranked 16th at 20.78%.

With Walman out, the Oilers will face a tough challenge against the Panthers, who are looking to continue their winning ways. The game is an important one for both teams as they battle for position in their respective conferences.