Andrej Sekera injury update: Oilers defenseman out for Ducks series

After leaving Game 5 with an injury, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera is out for the rest of their series against the Anaheim Ducks. 

The Edmonton Oilers suffered a costly 4-3 loss in double overtime in Game 5 to the Anaheim Ducks. They blew a three goal lead with under five minutes to go. It turns out it was also costly for them in another way. Top defenseman Andrej Sekera suffered an injury in the first period after being hit into the boards. He didn’t return for the rest of the game. Sekera will miss the rest of the series against the Ducks with an undisclosed injury.

Without him, the Oilers face an uphill battle to come back from a 3-2 series deficit against Anaheim. They’ll have to do it without arguably their best defenseman. After a rough first season in Edmonton, Sekera scored eight goals and put up 35 points. Both totals are the second best of his career, behind his 11 goals and 44 points during the 2013-14 season.

Sekera averaged 21:29 of ice time per game during the regular season and is averaging 21:10 in the postseason. He has three points in 11 games during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Without him, the Oilers will likely turn to Eric Gryba to replace his spot in the lineup. He hasn’t played in almost a month, as his last game was Game 1 against the San Jose Sharks in the first round. Matthew Benning, Oscar Klefbom, Kris Russell, Darnell Nurse and Adam Larsson will also be key to replacing Sekera.

Next: Each NHL Team's Biggest 'What If' Moment

In Game 6 on Sunday, the Oilers must win at home to avoid elimination. They have yet to win a home game in this series, though. The battle between the Ducks and Oilers has been a very physical one. Now Edmonton must defy the odds and comeback to win the series without one of their top blue liners.