Projected lineup: Oilers face Senators as Connor Murphy arrives but won't play tonight
The oilers open a two-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators at Rogers Place on Tuesday, but the team’s newest defenseman, Connor Murphy, will not be available for the season-opener despite arriving later in the day.
Oilers hold Murphy out for opener after Monday trade
Edmonton acquired the right-shot defenceman from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick, but Murphy — a 32-year-old rearguard with nine seasons in Chicago — will link up with the club after the morning skate and sit out the opener. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said Murphy should be ready to make his debut on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes, and that the team trialed new defensive pairings during Monday’s practice to see where Murphy might best slot in.
Ullmark expected to face heavy shot volume on March 3
Tuesday’s matchup on March 3 projects heavy action for Ottawa netminder Linus Ullmark, who is 3-0-1 with a. 919 save percentage and 2. 47 goals saved above expected since returning from leave. The oilers have averaged 32. 9 shots over their past 15 games and 31. 2 shots per home game this season, and bettors have targeted Ullmark’s workload with a line set at 24. 5 saves. Edmonton enters the night mired in a 1-5 stretch that has seen the club surrender 28 goals during that skid, while Ottawa has scored 30 times in a 6-1-1 run. Drake Batherson has found the scoresheet in five of his past seven and carries a 3. 08 points-per-60 mark for the year.
Ingram to start a third straight game
Knoblauch confirmed that goaltender Connor Ingram will make his third straight start tonight at Rogers Place. The rotation decision comes as the coaching staff evaluates defensive matchups without Murphy and tests newly assembled pairs in practice to shore up the five-on-five and penalty-kill struggles the club has faced this season.
Captain Connor McDavid praised Murphy’s style and impact, calling him “not fun to play against” and saying the addition will help, while Darnell Nurse highlighted Murphy’s penalty-killing and shutdown qualities as elements that can ease the minutes load for the rest of the defence. Knoblauch noted Murphy’s shot-blocking and physical play should particularly help the penalty kill and five-on-five defense.
The Oilers begin the two-game homestand tonight against Ottawa at Rogers Place, with Murphy arriving later in the day and expected to be available for the upcoming game on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. In the interim, Ingram will start between the pipes for the club’s opener and the coaching staff will continue to test defensive combinations during practice.
