Oilers Make Big Last-Minute Lineup Changes
The Oilers are going with the nuclear option in Ottawa as they try to spark their moribund offence.
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images - Oilers Make Big Last-Minute Lineup ChangesThe Oilers are shaking things up.
Despite not holding a practice today on the second day of a back-to-back, they've made some significant changes to their lineup ahead of tonight's matchup with the Ottawa Senators.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are back together to try and jumpstart the Oilers' offence after Monday's embarrassing shutout in Montreal. Joining them will be Vasily Podkolzin, still looking for his first goal as an Oiler despite excellent xG results next to Draisaitl.
It's a huge opportunity for Podkolzin, who has shown himself to be an excellent two-way forechecking winger who does all the little things right on a scoring line. What Podkolzin has lacked are the big things: points, and goals especially. If he can't get on the scoresheet next to McDavid and Draisaitl, it's fair to wonder if he can at all.
That leaves Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman to move from the first to the second line. Both players have had difficult starts to the season, with just 8 points each through 19 games.
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Hyman has merely been the victim of awful luck, as he's still been able to drive play and create chances. Nugent-Hopkins, on the other hand, just hasn't quite found his game yet this year. It could be that time back at centre and off the first line could help him back to his usual self.
They'll be joined by another early victim of poor luck in Jeff Skinner. Skinner has seen his ice time unjustly cut thanks in part to a low on-ice shooting percentage, something that has plagued almost everyone in Edmonton this season.
He's played his way back up off the fourth line for now, and will try to build some chemistry with Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins. Maybe they can all commiserate over their rotten luck together.
Tonight's game is at 5:00 PM MT, on Sportsnet West.
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