After undergoing an offseason knee surgery, Arizona Coyotes’ All-Star defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson had to play through pain for the most of 2019/20 campaign. However, it appears that these issues are now in the past for Ekman-Larsson, as the 28-year-old team captain feels “100 percent” ahead of NHL season restart.
Ekman-Larsson played 66 games this season, but his production significantly dropped as he returned to ice before managing to fully recover. He scored nine goals and dished 21 assists compared to 44 points during his All-Star campaign in 2019/20.
Still, Ekman-Larssons expects to get back to his old self in Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the break due to coronavirus pandemic helped him to finally finish with the rehab process.
“These 2½ months have been really good for me,” Ekman-Larssons told the media on Wednesday. “My knee is feeling 100 percent and I’ve been able to get stronger and faster.”
Ekman-Larssons spent the break with his family in native Sweden, and contributes a big part of his recovery to that.
“Going back home and being around my family really helped that situation,” he added. “I benefited from the physical part of being away. For the mental part, it was nice to get away from it.”
Coyotes will benefit from healthy Oliver Ekman-Larssons, as the team returns to action with as tough best-of-five matchup against Nashville Predators later this month. This will be the first postseason appearance for Arizona since 2012.
