Oilers' Ekholm makes 2025 playoff debut in Game 5 vs. Stars

Mattias Ekholm is back.

The Edmonton Oilers defenseman played in Game 5 against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Ekholm missed the first 15 games of the postseason because of an undisclosed injury. He last played April 11 against the San Jose Sharks.

The 35-year-old veteran started the game in his usual spot on the top defense pair with Evan Bouchard.

Troy Stecher was the odd-man out on the back end.

Ekholm recorded 33 points in 65 games this season while averaging 22:12 per contest - the third-most among Oilers skaters. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound stalwart was acquired from the Nashville Predators at the 2023 trade deadline.

Veteran forward Jeff Skinner also re-entered the lineup with Zach Hyman out after he was injured in Game 4. It was the second career playoff game for Skinner, who had been scratched since appearing in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1.

The Oilers are one win away from setting up a Stanley Cup Final rematch with the Florida Panthers. They held a 3-1 series lead on the Stars in the Western Conference Final entering Thursday's action.