Injuries take a toll on Oilers defence

The Edmonton Oilers were a picture of defensive structure in the early days of Ken Hitchcock’s arrival, but the loss of defencemen Oscar Klefbom and Kris Russell to injuries has resulted in a torrent of goals against. The Oilers have surrendered 24 goals in the last six games after giving up 26 in the first 11 games under the new coach.

The Oilers get a boost for their game Saturday against San Jose in the return of winger Jujhar Khaira from suspension. Khaira is fifth in team scoring with eight points in his last 10 games.

On the downside, Edmonton’s third-leading goal scorer, Alex Chiasson, is out with a bruised knee.

Russell, who has been out six games with a suspected groin injury, is day to day.

While the Oilers could be bolstered by the return of both Russell and Khaira, the Sharks expect to get defenceman Erik Karlsson back after serving a two-game suspension for a making contact with the head of L.A. Kings player Austin Wagner during an open ice hit.

Edmonton posted a 4-3 win over San Jose in the teams’ first meeting this season. It was the first game after Todd McLellan was fired and Hitchcock came on as the new head coach.

The Oilers got goals from Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Drake Caggiula and Leon Draisaitl in the come-from-behind win.