Oilers Puzzling Lineup Decision After Loss

Caleb Kerney

Apr 26, 2024, 21:20

Caleb Kerney

Apr 26, 2024, 21:20

Edmonton Oilers have gone a different way than many expected.

Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports - Oilers Puzzling Lineup Decision After Loss

EDMONTON -- Game three is on tonight.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-0QpsL3kYY[/embed]

The Edmonton Oilers look to take the first of two games on the road against the Los Angeles Kings. After dropping a 5-4 overtime decision to their opponents - they are ready to right the ship tonight.

To do that they will go back to the lineup they iced for the past two games.

This is puzzling in a few ways. Dylan Holloway played well enough to earn a look in the top six forward group - yet he's still with Sam Carrick and Mattias Janmark on the fourth line. I'm not entirely sure what the logic is on that.

Some of it might stem from wanting some consistency for several games. That's understandable - but typically going out on the road means that Kris Knoblauch changes up his forward lines.

Another move some might disagree with - Stuart Skinner is the projected starting goalie. There are many Oilers fans who are not happy with the performance he gave the other night. Skinner would be the first to tell anyone that he wasn't happy with his performance either.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SVMbLwEHm4[/embed]

Keeping him in net will allow him the opportunity to have a bounce-back performance. That's the kind of rebound that a coach would like to see out of their starting netminder, and we will see if that comes about tonight at Crypto Arena.

Game time is projected to start at 8:30 PM Mountain time.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOhFbvBG1l0[/embed]

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