The Edmonton Oilers received mixed news on Tuesday night regarding defenseman Jake Walman and forward Curtis Lazar, both of whom suffered injuries during their comeback win against the Ottawa Senators. Lazar exited the game early and is expected to miss at least a week, while Walman’s situation appears less severe but remains uncertain.
Details on Injuries and Player Performance
Curtis Lazar did not return after leaving the game prematurely, as confirmed by head coach Kris Knoblauch, who indicated Lazar would be sidelined for a minimum of seven days. Jake Walman missed the third period of the game, and although the team is hopeful his injury isn’t serious, it remains unclear if he’ll be available for the next game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday.
Walman had a difficult night on the ice, particularly when paired with Darnell Nurse, as their defensive coverage was often breached. The Oilers showed significant improvement in the last period when Walman was off the ice, which reflected poorly on his contribution during that stretch.
Coach Knoblauch addressed Walman’s injury status, stating,
I don’t think it’s very serious. The other five guys were playing well, and we didn’t have to push Jake and have him continue playing.
Despite trailing by a few goals, the decision was made not to risk Walman’s health during the game’s closing minutes.
Overtime Victory Highlights and Upcoming Changes
Edmonton rallied to a 5-4 overtime victory, with Zach Hyman scoring the equalizer and Evan Bouchard netting the game-winning goal. The upcoming game will also include a new addition to the roster, as Connor Murphy joins the team following a recent trade from Chicago. How Murphy will fit into the lineup and what role Walman will play upon his potential return remains undecided.
Walman didn’t play after second period. Hurt, not benched , says Knoblauch. “I don’t think it’s very serious. The other 5 guys were playing well and we didn’t have to push Jake and have him continue playing.”
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) March 4, 2026
