Skinner has not played since March 26th, leaving the Oilers' crease occupied exclusively by Calving Pickard, but he was back at practice on Monday and appears to be nearing an imminent return to the crease. The 26-year-old Skinner has a 2.91 GAA and .894 SV% in 49 games this season (24-18-4).
Walton was a sixth-round pick, 187th overall, of the Winnipeg Jets in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old forward has been impressive in his third season with the Sudbury Wolves, scoring 92 points (38G / 54A) in 66 games.
Fleury will take a seat on Thursday in order to make room for the return of Luke Schenn (undisclosed). Fleury has zero goals and seven assists in 37 games this season.
Thrun has not played since March 8th but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 24-year-old Thrun is averaging 16:54 time-on-ice and has 10 points (1G / 9A) in 52 games this season.
Thrun has not played since March 8th but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 24-year-old Thrun is averaging 16:54 time-on-ice and has 10 points (1G / 9A) in 52 games this season.
Fleury will slot in for Luke Schenn, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Fleury has zero goals and seven assists in 36 games this season.
Pionk has not played since March 11th but is nearing a return after practicing in a non-contact jersey on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Pionk was having an impressive season on the Jets' blueline before his injury, averaging 22:09 time-on-ice, recording 37 points (9G / 28A) and 109 hits in 66 games.
Kupari returned from a concussion in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals, playing only 5:44 time-on-ice, and will be sidelined again after having a setback. The 25-year-old Kupari is averaging 10:16 time-on-ice and has eight points (5G / 3A) in 59 games this season.
Matias Maccelli will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing Bjugstad to draw back into the lineup. Bjugstad has not played since March 18th and has 16 points (5G / 11A) in 55 games this season.
The Oilers won their previous game, 5-4 over the Seattle Kraken, with Connor McDavid (undisclosed) and Leon Draisaitl (undisclosed) out of the lineup, and will be without them again on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars. Skinner saved 27 of 31 shots (.871 SV%) in that contest and will be tending the twine again on Wednesday. He has a 2.87 GAA and .895 SV% in 48 games this season. The Oilers enter Wednesday's contest as +119 home underdogs against a Stars club coming off a 3-0 win over the Minnesota Wild.
Rosen played three games with the Sabres this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 22-year-old forward has 54 points (27G / 27A) in 55 games with the Rochester Americans (AHL) this season. In a corresponding move, the Sabres loaned Brett Murray to Rochester.
Vilardi did not practice on Monday and will be sidelined week-to-week due to an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old Vilardi was having a tremendous season for the Jets, scoring 61 points (27G / 34A) in 71 games, and will be sorely missed during his absence. At practice on Monday, Alex Iafallo was promoted to a role on the Jets' top powerplay unit.
Skinner exited Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets for precautionary reasons and will be ready to suit up on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken. That said, Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch did not specify if Skinner or Calvin Pickard would be between the pipes on Saturday.