Patrick Eaves not ruled out for Ducks in Game 4
Forward considered day to day after injuring foot against Oilers on Sunday
by Lisa Dillman @reallisa / NHL.com Staff Writer
KELOWNA, British Columbia -- Anaheim Ducks forward Patrick Eaves has not been ruled out for Game 4 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports).
Eaves, 33, had his right foot in a walking boot Monday after appearing to injure it during a collision in the Ducks' 6-3 win in Game 3 on Sunday. He is considered day to day.
Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa skated Monday for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury in Game 1 of the series. Though considered by coach Randy Caryle as day to day, he is unlikely to play in Game 4.
The Oilers lead the best-of-7 series 2-1.
Eaves collided in the neutral zone with Oilers forward Patrick Maroon in the first minute of the third period and hobbled to the bench. Carlyle said Eaves will be looked at again on Tuesday.
[RELATED: Complete Ducks vs. Oilers series coverage]
"We don't really have much more to say on that until we get another evaluation another 24 hours away," Carlyle said. "The assessment already has been done, from our standpoint.
"With all of these injuries, the first 24 hours is critical, how the response is to the treatment that he receives today. Then we'll make the assessment tomorrow [Tuesday] on whether he skates for practice or not."
Video: EDM@ANA, Gm1: Eaves lifts own rebound past Talbot
Eaves has four points (two goals, two assists) in seven 2017 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He was acquired by the Ducks in a trade from the Dallas Stars on Feb. 24 for a conditional draft pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. He had NHL career highs in goals (32), assists (19) and points (51) during the regular season, and after arriving in Anaheim, displayed excellent chemistry with Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf.
Anaheim is hoping Bieksa, who has four assists in five postseason games, will return later in the series against Edmonton.
"It's progress, for sure," Bieksa said. "Obviously this time of the year, you're trying to do whatever you can to knock off days, weeks to injuries. Things are progressing nicely.
"To get out on the ice is an important step. We'll kind of see how it goes from there. Plugging away, trying to get back as soon as possible."
Bieksa spoke about the frustration of missing games and watching from the press box.
"It's the worst," Bieksa said. "First of all, the view up there, where you guys sit, is not realistic. It's not the way it looks on the ice. It's not that easy.
"The energy is great in the building. You're way more nervous watching from up top."
With two days off before Game 4, the Ducks opted to fly to Kelowna for a low-key getaway, practicing here on Monday and Tuesday at Prospera Place, where the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League play.
The Ducks made a similar trip to Banff, Alberta, during a two-day break in the schedule in the 2015 second round against the Calgary Flames. Anaheim won that series 4-1.