The Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of elimination in the NHL Playoffs, down 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals series against the Colorado Avalanche heading into Game 4 on their home ice. To make matters worse, Evander Kane will be sidelined for the pivotal clash after picking up a suspension in Game 3 due to a dirty hit on Avs star Nazem Kadri, who will miss the remainder of the series with an injury he sustained on the play.

With Kane sidelined, the Oilers are officially scrambling for answers, and their latest roster move screams desperation. According to Frank Seravalli, the Oilers are promoting Dylan Holloway to the roster to make his NHL debut on Monday night.

 

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This is certainly an unexpected move from the Oilers, who were in need of an additional forward in the wake of Kane's suspension, in addition to the absence of Kailer Yamamoto. Jay Woodcroft felt that Holloway was ready for his big chance, and now the former first-round pick will be making his NHL debut, though the circumstances certainly aren't ideal.

Holloway will be thrown into the ringer, up against the NHL's best team and one of the most physical squads in the league. The 20-year-old, who was the No. 14 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, will now be called upon to try to provide a spark for Edmonton's fourth line as they look to stave off elimination.

This season in the AHL, playing for the Bakersfield Condors, Holloway registered 22 points in 33 games, scoring 8 goals and providing 14 assists. Not many players can say they made their NHL debut during the Western Conference Finals, but with Edmonton's backs against the wall, the Oilers are pulling out all the stops to try to find the necessary spark to steal Game 4 at home.