Hendricks won’t be eligible to return until January 18 against the Panthers, a rematch of the Sunday game where his dubious acts were committed. Cam Talbot made 12 saves.
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Jaromir Jagr also scored for the Panthers, who haven’t lost since December 12 – a 3-1 defeat against the Boston Bruins.
ABOUT THE OILERS (17-22-3): Coach Todd McLellan told reporters his team did not score enough Friday to make up for its blunders around the net, as the last two goals went in off Taylor Hall’s stick and defenseman Darnell Nurse’s skate.
Only once in a winning streak that dates back to December 15 have the Panthers allowed more than two goals against, for an Oilers team that continues to struggle offensively, and especially with the man advantage, this is hardly good news.
The Edmonton Oilers forward drilled Ekblad into the boards on Sunday night, and while the reigning Calder Trophy victor played three more shifts he entered concussion protocol and was scratched against the Canucks.
There was no penalty on the play for the hit, but Hendricks was set to have a phone hearing with the NHL’s department of player safety on Monday regarding the incident.
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Ekblad, a native of Windsor, Ontario, was the first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. Oiler Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played his 300th career game. The Oilers head on the road to face the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
