Mattias Ekholm called watching the Stanley Cup playoffs one of the most difficult things he’s endured in hockey.
“Nerve-racking,” the Edmonton Oilers defenceman said earlier this week. “Not fun.”
His teammates did their part. Ekholm is now back healthy and ready to join the fray.
The 35-year-old Swede was set to enter the lineup for Game 5 of the NHL’s Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
Ekholm suffered a lower-body injury March 26, missed seven contests and then returned for just three shifts on April 11 before again getting shut down.
“It’s been a journey,” the top-pair blueliner said following Edmonton’s full morning skate at American Airlines Center. “Since I got hurt,…