Things we know: Could Oilers’ injury bug temper expectations for playoff run?

With their two best players sidelined and a score of other injuries hanging over their head, Mark Spector provides insight into the things we know, and the things we think we know about where the Oilers stand nearing the playoffs.

We’re into the final stretch of the 2024-25 regular season, with just 10 games or less separating the majority of clubs from the playoffs.

And even this close to the post-season, much of the playoff picture is still being pieced together. While the heavyweights have all but secured their tickets to the dance, there’s still seeding to be determined, division champions to be crowned, and the wild-card race in each conference is still very much alive.

Even beyond this final slate of the regular season, there’s another factor impacting our ability to get a sense of what the 2025 playoffs will truly look like — the injury list.

On either side of the bracket, there are key names still waiting on the sidelines, their potential returns looming over their clubs’ chances of stitching together a deep run this Spring. That in mind, for this edition of Playoff Push, we’re checking in on a few notable injury situations affecting playoff hopefuls in each conference, and how they might impact the post-season:

Florida Panthers: Brad Marchand, Matthew Tkachuk

The Panthers’ injury situation seems about to turn, with trade deadline acquisition Brad Marchand nearly ready to debut with his new club. The veteran’s arrival amounted to one of the more shocking deadline swings — in the weeks since, much has been made of what exactly the Cats could look like with the longtime Bruin in the fold, particularly with both he and Sam Benett working in tandem to bring misery on the opposition. An upper-body injury that knocked Marchand out of the Bruins lineup right before the deadline has delayed the fireworks, but it appears the former B’s captain is slated to make his return Friday, sporting Florida colours for the first time on a line with Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich.

Of course, the far more pressing question when it comes to the Panthers’ injury situation is that of Matthew Tkachuk’s status. The heart and soul of this Cats team, and one of its most prolific scorers, there’s no question Florida is feeling Tkachuk’s absence. The Scottsdale, Ari., native has been sidelined since early February — in early March, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the regular season, with GM Bill Zito saying the club hopes to have him back for the playoffs. Just how quickly No. 19 can get back into the lineup once the playoffs begin, and how quickly he can find his level, will surely be key in determining just how far Florida goes in its title defence bid.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Max Pacioretty

With 10 games to go, the Maple Lea