Oilers activate defenceman Jake Walman from injured reserve

Fresh off a three-game skid, the Edmonton Oilers are getting a boost to their blue line at the perfect time.

Defenceman Jake Walman has been activated from injured reserve after missing the start of the season with an undisclosed injury, the team announced Monday.

Walman has been out of the Oilers’ lineup since suffering an injury on Sept. 21, the team’s first pre-season game against the Calgary Flames.

Though it was originally expected that the 28-year-old would be able to suit up for the season opener, coach Kris Knoblauch revealed that he had a setback in his recovery, prompting him to miss the first six games of the season after being placed on injured reserve.

Walman signed a seven-year, $49-million contract extension with the Oilers ahead of the seasonopener against the Flames.

He is coming off a career-high season offensively, tallying 33 assists and 40 points split between the Oilers and Sharks.

The Oilers (2-3-1) return to action on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators in the final outing of their five-game Eastern Conference road trip.