The Edmonton Oilers are swapping forwards on the injured reserve list.
Lennart Petrell passed his concussion protol testing on Sunday night, which clears him to return to the active lineup for Monday night’s game in Chicago (8:30 p.m. ET). Going to the injured reserve list with a sore shoulder is Teemu Hartikainen, according to Oilers coach Ralph Krueger – who met with reporters after Edmonton’s morning skate on Monday at United Center.
“Lennart Petrell cleared his test last night and we’ve got him back in the lineup,” Krueger told Oilers.com. “We’ve had to put Teemu Hartikainen on IR. His shoulder worsened after the last game. Maybe he cheered to hard after the last goal. I’m not sure exactly how it happened, but truly he’s been playing with a lot of pain and it’s an injury that needs a break, need a rest, and needs some regeneration.”
Petrell was struck in the head by an errant puck during warm-ups before a Feb. 16 game against the Colorado Avalanche and missed four games. He will go right back into the lineup on Monday night against the Blackhawks, likely playing on the third line with either Nail Yakupov or Ryan Smyth at left wing and Chris VandeVelde in the middle.
“It’s good,” Petrell said of his head. “I’ve been feeling pretty good the past three or four days, but I’m finally getting to play. It’s pretty exciting.”
Petrell has just one goal as his lone point thus far, but said he can’t try to force the issue offensively – especially against a team like the Blackhawks, who still haven’t lost a game in regulation after 18 games.
“It’s pretty easy for us,” Petrell said of Edmonton’s biggest challenge in the game. “We need to play a smart and simple game, and for me that means getting on the forecheck, being solid defensivelyand also try to create some offense.”
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