Oilers Celebrate Henrique’s 1000th Game as They Face the Rangers
The Edmonton Oilers are set for an emotional and high-energy night at Rogers Place as they take on the New York Rangers, and this one comes with a special celebration. Veteran forward Adam Henrique will be honored for playing his 1,000th NHL game — a rare and remarkable milestone. He’ll be presented with the traditional Silver Stick by General Manager Stan Bowman before puck drop, marking the moment as one of pride for both Henrique and the franchise.
Henrique, who reached the milestone in last week’s win over the Ottawa Senators, becomes the first player to do so while wearing an Oilers uniform. The 35-year-old spoke before the game, admitting that the recognition still feels surreal. “You keep saying that, and it doesn’t seem real,” he said. “It feels like the birthday that doesn’t end, but it’s very special. I’m honored to be the first Oiler to do it. This organization has been amazing to me and my family since I’ve been here, and it’s something I’m very proud of.”
The Oilers forward will have his family in attendance again tonight after they surprised him during the milestone game in Ottawa. Henrique joked that it’s been a whirlwind week but one he wouldn’t trade for anything. “Everybody made it in late last night,” he said. “It’s as much for me as it is for my family. They’ve shared every part of this journey, and we’ll cherish it forever.”
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Beyond the celebration, there’s business to handle on the ice. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch is sticking with the same 11-forward, seven-defenseman lineup that worked so well in their last outing — a 6–3 comeback victory over the Utah Mammoth. That setup gives Knoblauch flexibility to double-shift top players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl while also providing more ice time for depth forwards such as Vasily Podkolzin, who’s been knocking on the door of a breakout performance.
Knoblauch explained that the 11–7 structure helps keep all forwards engaged. “It’s much easier managing the bench with 11 forwards,” he said. “Guys like Podkolzin and Roslovic can be spotted in more situations, which helps them find rhythm and confidence.”
Podkolzin, in particular, could be a key factor tonight. While he hasn’t produced big offensive numbers yet, his hardworking, physical style has earned praise. If given extra shifts alongside stars like Draisaitl, this could be the spark he needs.
Edmonton’s top six remains strong — McDavid centering Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Mangiapane, while Draisaitl skates with Podkolzin and Jack Roslovic. On defense, expect pairings of Ekholm–Bouchard, Nurse–Walman, and Kulak–Emberson, with Troy Stecher rotating as the seventh blueliner. Stuart Skinner gets the start in goal.
The Oilers won their last meeting with the Rangers 2–0, and with momentum building and Henrique’s milestone adding emotional fuel, fans at Rogers Place can expect an intense and memorable matchup tonight.
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