The Edmonton Oilers got some key reinforcements for Wednesday's tilt against the St. Louis Blues.
Goaltender Mike Smith, forward Zach Hyman, and defenseman Duncan Keith all returned to the lineup, as head coach Dave Tippett confirmed in the afternoon.
Smith started for the first time since Oct. 19 due to a lower-body injury. He was initially progressing toward a November return before suffering a setback. The 39-year-old veteran has been steady when healthy over the past two seasons, posting a .923 save percentage in 32 games a year ago and a .920 save percentage in three appearances this campaign before Wednesday's contest.
Goaltending has been an area of concern in Smith's absence. Mikko Koskinen has been inconsistent, posting a .902 save percentage in 18 games. Rookie Stuart Skinner, who the Oilers loaned to the AHL on Wednesday, has been more effective, owning a .916 save percentage in 10 contests.
Hyman, meanwhile, missed Edmonton's last three games due to an upper-body injury. He's been stellar in his first season with the Oilers, collecting 11 goals and eight assists in 27 contests.
Keith missed Edmonton's last matchup while in COVID-19 protocol. Another marquee offseason addition, the 38-year-old has recorded five points in 21 games during his first campaign in orange and blue.
The Blues defeated the Oilers 4-2 on Wednesday night.
Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.