BLOG: Yamamoto ready to return to the lineup against Washington

EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Oilers will receive reinforcements in the form of forward Kailer Yamamoto's return to the lineup on Monday night against the Washington Capitals.
The Spokane, Wash. product has missed the last 11 games since last appearing for the Blue & Orange in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning back on Nov. 8 at AMALIE Arena. Yamamoto also missed the Oilers season opener against the Vancouver Canucks before recording three assists, 15 shots and a +4 plus/minus in the following 13 games prior to coming down with his upper-body injury.
"Yeah, it's been a tough first start to the year," Yamamoto said. "It's tough, but at the end of the day, you've got to keep moving forward, keep looking to when you're going to get back, so I'm back in the lineup now and I'm fired up. It should be a good one tonight."
Yamamoto has been practicing regularly over the past week and even travelled with the team for their last two-game road trip to Chicago and Minnesota with the potential of returning to the lineup at some point in the back-to-back. But the 24-year-old has had to bide his time for his chance to return to the lineup, working in close consultation with the Oilers medical and training staffs.