Dylan Holloway returns to Edmonton Oilers lineup Thursday against Chicago Blackhawks

The Edmonton Oilers are getting a boost to their lineup Thursday night with forward Dylan Holloway returning from injury.

Holloway missed the last four Oilers games after finding himself on the receiving end of a big hit against the Buffalo Sabres. In just his third NHL game, Holloway received a pass in the neutral zone from Warren Foegele, only to turn and be met with a devastating hit by Buffalo defenceman Ilya Lybushkin.

Holloway hit the ice and left the game and just got back into practice a few days ago.

No reports surfaced early in the day Thursday indicating his return to the lineup, so it was a surprise when 15 minutes before puck drop he was named as drawing into the lineup. With Holloway returning to the lineup, the Oilers opted to make defenceman Ryan Murray a healthy scratch.

Murray has been fighting the puck early this season with the Oilers. When he’s been on the ice at 5×5, the Oilers have been outscored 6-2.

Holloway, meanwhile, shined for the Oilers in development camp and the preseason and will play on the fourth line alongside Devin Shore and Derek Ryan.