It’s the final game of the pre-season for the Edmonton Oilers tonight in Vancouver, and the first for right winger Anton Slepyshev.
Slepyshev hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in the off-season.
“The plan is to get him into his first game. He’s going to need that,” head coach Todd McLellan said. “He looks ready, feels ready. He’s been cleared by the training staff.”
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Slepyshev, 23, had ten points in 41 games last season for the Oilers. He added three goals in the playoffs.
“I thought Slep had a good second half of the season last year,” added McLellan.
“He really evolved. He became an offensive threat. He’s hard on pucks and created off the forecheck.”
McLellan didn’t give any other lineup details, but forwards Jesse Puljujarvi, Chris Kelly, Iiro Pakarinen, and Zack Kassian stayed out for extra work after the morning skate, which is usually a sign they’re not playing. Defencemen Mark Fayne and Yohann Auvitu also remained on the ice.
Cam Talbot is expected to start in goal.
Catch the Oilers and Canucks on 630 CHED with the Face-off Show at 6:30 p.m. The game starts at 8 p.m.