Kris Knoblauch is remaining his usual tight-lipped self on Monday as his Oilers prepare to kick off their 2025 playoffs against the Kings.
Trent Frederic is considered a game-time decision, he said, and that Jake Walman would draw into the lineup after missing the Oilers’ final five regular season games. Brett Kulak is expected to play after returning to Alberta for the birth of his daughter, while John Klingberg and Evander Kane won’t be available.
That leaves one of Cam Dineen or Josh Brown set to fill in the sixth defensive spot, something that will be a game-time decision.
Per Knoblauch:
– Frederic a game time decision
– Kulak will play, wife had daughter Skyler Brooklyn this am
– Klingberg out.
– Walman is in.
– Game time decision between Brown and Dineen at 6D.
— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec) April 21, 2025
Reports out of Los Angeles from both Sportsnet’s Mark Spector and The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman, however, hinted at Frederic being in the lineup. Spector noted that Kasperi Kapanen, who skated on the third line Sunday, remained on the ice longer Monday morning than Frederic, indicating the Oilers trade deadline acquistion would take his spot on the third line. Nugent-Bowman, meanwhile, reported that Frederic “sure sounded like someone who will be playing.”
Acquired by the Oilers in a three-team trade, Frederic had been dealing with a high-ankle sprain suffered a week prior to his acquisition. He appeared good to go in early April, debuting with the Oilers on the 4th, but he reaggravated the injury on his first shift six seconds into the game laying a hit on Kings defenceman Brandt Clarke. It put him back on the shelf for the remainder of the regular season, with Knoblauch indicating he could be good to go for the post-season.
Him returning to the lineup would be a boon for the Oilers, who will certainly need his physical edge in their forward group. Nobody can deny there’s certainly concern about a potential re-injury here, but it’s the playoffs, after all, and players have always found ways to play through injuries.
Game 1 is set for 8:00 p.m. Monday night.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.
