It’s been a frustrating fall for Edmonton Oilers right winger Anton Slepyshev. He didn’t play a single pre-season game; first, because of an ankle injury.
Then, he was set to play the pre-season finale last Saturday in Vancouver but came down with an illness.
“I felt frustrated. I got to play two days ago in Stockton with Bakersfield. I felt the game pace and now I’m ready to play,” said Slepyshev after the Oilers practised on Sunday.
READ MORE: Anton Slepyshev set to go as Edmonton Oilers visit Vancouver Canucks
Slepyshev could jump right onto the Oilers second line Monday against Winnipeg.
He skated with Milan Lucic and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
“We’re going to start him and give him a chance,” head coach Todd McLellan said. “Then he’ll dictate where he goes in the lineup.”
McLellan says forward Drake Caggiula is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.
READ MORE: Oilers come up short against Canucks
The Oilers are 1-1 on the season after losing 3-2 in Vancouver Saturday night.
Goaltender Cam Talbot was pulled early in the second period after allowing three goals on seven shots.
“I looked at those goals last night. I don’t know what I would have done too much differently,” Talbot said. “A few bad bounces. I’m not going to overhaul my game just because of that. It was a good work day. I’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”