Oilers LW Taylor Hall cleared to play

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Edmonton Oilers left wing Taylor Hall is ready to play after missing seven games due to a knee injury.

Oilers coach Dallas Eakins says Hall has been cleared by the team medical staff and will be in the lineup for Thursday night’s game at Tampa Bay.

“We’ve got one of the best left wingers’ coming back,” Eakins said after the Oilers’ morning skate Thursday. “The thing I like about Hallsie early was, he’s always in the fight. He competes hard. He wants to be the best player on the ice.”

Hall, the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, was hurt during a game Oct. 19 at Ottawa. He has three goals and five assists in nine games.

“I’ve been healing well and working hard on my rehab,” Hall said. “It got to the point where I’m doing so well and I’m feeling good enough with my knee that I have to play.”

Edmonton has struggled this season, going 4-10-2 entering Thursday’s game with the Lightning.