It was reported yesterday that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Vincent Desharnais broke his finger when fighting Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson in the second period of Edmonton’s Saturday night game against Colorado. Due to this injury, he did not return for the third period or Overtime.
The 27-year-old sophomore NHLer has 6 points, 104 hits, and 96 shot blocks in 63 games this season. He also plays a key role on the penalty kill for Edmonton. A week before the Trade Deadline, he switched places with Cody Ceci to be on the second pairing with Darnell Nurse. It has been slightly better than the Nurse/Ceci pairing we’d been seeing regularly. I haven’t heard how long this injury will be, but he will no doubt miss a few games and should still be back in time for the Playoffs.
This injury to Desharnais also opens the door for Troy Stecher’s return to the Oilers line-up, having suited up for his first game with his new team last week against the Washington Capitals. Expect him to indefinitely take over the second pair spot with Nurse while Ceci continues to stay with Brett Kulak on the third pairing.
