Oil Kings captain hoping to be in top form for playoffs after recent return from injury – Edmonton
Edmonton Oil Kings captain Jake Neighbours is hoping to make use of the ultimate weekend of the Western Hockey League‘s common season to get himself into peak enjoying kind in time for the playoffs.
The St. Louis Blues’ first spherical draft decide from 2020 just lately returned to the Oil Kings’ lineup after lacking 14 video games with an upper-body damage.
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“Anytime you’re out for a considerable time frame, you’re going to have some woes if you’re coming again and enjoying,” the 20-year-old Airdrie native informed International Information on the group’s follow at Rogers Place on Thursday.
“I feel a few extra video games this weekend will assist me get extra near my highest functionality for the playoffs.”
WHL (Western Hockey League) profile picture on Edmonton Oil Kings participant Jake Neighbours throughout a sport in opposition to the Calgary Hitmen in Calgary, Ab. on Sunday Nov. 3, 2019.
THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Larry MacDougal
Neighbours trails a few of his Oil Kings teammates for factors this season. However contemplating he’s solely performed 28 video games, Neighbours’ 16 objectives and 28 assists for 44 factors stays spectacular and has helped the group clinch a fourth-straight Central Division title.
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“The qualities he brings on the ice and off the ice for our group are unreal,” mentioned Oil Kings head coach Brad Lauer.
“He’s a man that guys wish to look as much as and observe, and it’s simply nice to get him again within the lineup.”
Neighbours has eased again into the lineup easily, choosing up three factors in his first two video games again.
The Oil Kings, ranked second within the WHL’s Jap Convention, already know who they are going to face first within the playoffs. The puck might be dropped for Sport 1 of their sequence in opposition to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on April 21 at Rogers Place.
Edmonton will play Medication Hat on Friday and Purple Deer on Saturday to wrap up the common season.
–With recordsdata from International Information’ Kevin Karius
