Edmonton Oilers forward Mattias Janmark likely to miss remainder of series against LA Kings

The Edmonton Oilers are expected to be without forward Mattias Janmark for the remainder of their first-round series against the LA Kings.

This, according to our own Jason Gregor, who reported Janmark likely suffered an injury during the first period during game one blocking a shot off the inside of his right foot. Janmark went on to finish the game taking 22 shifts and playing 14:52 — 3:36 of which came on the penalty kill.

While we didn’t see lines during morning skate Wednesday ahead of game two, Gregor reported the team is likely going to use 11 forwards and seven defencemen — a deployment the team has oft used since Jay Woodcroft was promoted to head coach in February 2022. With Janmark out of the lineup, Philip Broberg is likely to draw in as the seventh defenceman.

Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said Janmark was held out of practice for maintenance reasons and was vague on his availability.

Janmark, 30, signed a one-year, $1.25-million contract with the Oilers ahead of this season and drew in for 66 regular season games. He scored 10 goals and 25 points — three goals and four points of which came with the Oilers shorthanded. At season’s end, he’s an unrestricted free agent.

While driving play offensively hasn’t been a strong suit for Janmark this season, he has been excellent defensively. According to hockeyviz.com, Janmark provided even-strength offence at a 14 percent rate below league average, but brought defence at a five percent rate above league average.

With the Oilers likely to go 11/7, it’s reasonable to expect a lot of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl tonight, who each played 25:24 and 20:31 in game one, respectively.