PROJECTED LINEUP: Walman to return versus Senators in Henrique's 1,000th NHL game

KANATA, ON – A huge milestone in Adam Henrique's 1000th NHL game and a massive return to the lineup in defenceman Jake Walman are on tap for the Edmonton Oilers in the nation's capital on Tuesday night as they look to close out their five-game road trip with a victory over the Ottawa Senators.

Hopefully, those will add some extra intensity to tonight's contest for the Oilers, says Head Coach Kris Knoblauch, with the Blue & Orange aiming to end their three-game losing streak with two points and returning home on a winning note.

"It's very exciting having moments in the season where you can celebrate," Knoblauch said. "Right now, we need a little bit of excitement, and this will be a remarkable day for Adam Henrique, and we're lucky to be part of it. For Adam to play 1,000 games, not many players get to do that, and hopefully, we can make it memorable for him."

Walman missed the first six games of the campaign with an undisclosed injury he sustained during the preseason and looks poised to return to the lineup in his regular spot on the second defensive pairing alongside Darnell Nurse, with Troy Stecher anticipated to be a healthy scratch in the corresponding move.

"When you're up top, the game looks a lot easier, but it's obviously been fast out there," Walman said. "I know we're trying, but we're maybe a little bit off right now. Hopefully, before we get home here, we can finish it off on a good note."

Despite not having captain Brady Tkachuk for the next several weeks, the Senators pose threats with the likes of Tim Stutzle, Shane Pinto and Drake Batherson in their lineup, but they've been vulnerable defensively this season so far by allowing at least four goals in five of their six games.

Walman is ready to hit the ground running with the opportunity for his return to make a noticeable impact right away.

"(Ottawa's) a team that's very opportunistic. They have guys that can score up and down the lineup, and I think they're one of those teams on the brink of being a really good team. So we've got to treat them the same as any other top team.

"I'm excited, and hopefully, it'll be a fast-paced game."

Winger Kasperi Kapanen wasn’t on the ice for Tuesday’s pre-game skate after leaving Sunday’s defeat to the Red Wings during the second period and is expected to miss "several weeks", said Coach Knoblauch, with the Finnish forward's timeline for recovery looking like it'll be upwards of six weeks.

The bench boss, however, is thankful to have Walman coming back into the fold on Edmonton's blueline for his ability to make a good first pass and help strengthen their transition games that's admittedly struggled early on this season.

"He's missed quite a bit of time. He hasn't played since the exhibition, so it'll be a while before we see his best, but I believe he can provide a little boost to our team," Knoblauch said. "He's a puck-moving defenceman who can provide some offence, but I think we've been having difficulties just transporting the puck up ice. I think he'll be able to help with that, whether it's making a first pass or skating it out, so it's nice having Jake back."

Forward David Tomasek is set to fill the spot vacated by Kapanen after skating on the fourth line with rookie Isaac Howard and Adam Henrique, who’ll play in his 1,000^th NHL game tonight against the Senators.

On the top line, Vasily Podkolzin was alongside Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid as Head Coach Kris Knoblauch continues to tinker with his forward lines early in the season to find the right combinations.

Andrew Mangiapane and Jack Roslovic were on the flanks of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the second line, while centre Noah Philp – who scored his second career NHL goal against the Red Wings on Sunday – was between Matt Savoie and Trent Frederic.

Stuart Skinner was in the starter’s net and will make his second straight start as he chases down his 100^th career victory.

View the Oilers Projected Lineup vs. Ottawa below:

Draisaitl – McDavid - Podkolzin
Mangiapane – Nugent-Hopkins - Roslovic
Savoie – Philp - Frederic
Howard – Henrique - Tomasek

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Walman
Kulak - Emberson

Skinner
Pickard