- Adam Henrique will miss Game 2 vs. the Ducks with a lower-body injury
- The 36-year-old was hurt in a first-period collision with teammate Kasperi Kapanen in Game 1
- Read below for Kris Knoblauch’s update and who slots into Edmonton’s lineup
The Oilers are going to be short a veteran forward when they host the Ducks on Wednesday.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed Tuesday that Adam Henrique will not suit up for Game 2 of Edmonton’s Western Conference First Round series because of a lower-body injury.
Henrique’s night ended early in Game 1. The 36-year-old got tangled up with teammate Kasperi Kapanen in front of the Edmonton net at 17:51 of the first period, momentarily grabbed his left knee, and skated off on his own power. He finished with 2:56 of ice time over six shifts and did not return.
Edmonton still rallied for a 4-3 win, with Kapanen’s second goal of the night inside the final two minutes sealing it.
Henrique had been centering the fourth line between Colton Dach and Trent Frederic. Knoblauch said either Curtis Lazar or Josh Samanski will slot in for him.
“Samanski adds a little bit more speed to our lineup and he was playing with a line that was playing pretty well towards the end of the season with Dach and Frederic,” Knoblauch said. “Lazar gives you a little more aggressiveness and a little more physicality, and obviously that’s important in the playoffs.”
Lazar had four goals and two assists in 45 games this year. Samanski put up two goals and two assists across 24 appearances.
The Brantford native already missed 17 games earlier this season with an undisclosed injury. His 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 65 games marked his lowest single-season total since the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign.
Game 2 drops the puck Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET from Rogers Place. Leon Draisaitl looked sharp at practice heading into Game 1, and the Oilers will need that same energy from their top guys to weather Henrique’s absence.
