• Powered by Roundtable
    Finn Marceau
    Finn Marceau
    Mar 22, 2025, 18:42
    There is no Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl in this picture. (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)

    We're about to find out a lot about the Edmonton Oilers.

    Or, we might learn nothing at all. What can you take away from a team missing not only its top two centers, but two of the top three players in the world? Does their performance without them say something about the rest of the roster, or does everything get thrown out because the circumstances are just so unusual?

    Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.

    Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are injured and might not be back in the lineup for another week. This is how the Oilers will line up without their two foundational superstars against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.

    Podkolzin - RNH - Arvidsson
    Perry - Henrique - Hyman
    Skinner - Janmark - Brown
    Jones - Ryan - Kapanen

    Ekholm - Bouchard
    Nurse - Walman
    Kulak - Stecher
    Klingberg - Emberson

    Skinner
    Pickard

    The erstwhile third line of Vasily Podkolzin, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Viktor Arvidsson gets its second promotion in as many games as they'll likely be leaned on heavily by Kris Knoblauch. The second line is built to win puck battles down low and score from just outside the crease, while Jeff Skinner will be forced to act as a one-man offense on the third line.

    Luckily, the Oilers' elite blueline is at full strength, and fully capable of carrying the offense for a game or two. It'll be a lot harder without McDavid and Draisaitl to pass to, but all six defensemen have some offensive pop and are comfortable joining, or even leading, the rush. They'll need to be sharp at both ends of the ice on Saturday night.

    Trending Oilers Articles

    Oilers Injury Report: Connor McDavid & Stuart Skinner Oilers Injury Report: Connor McDavid & Stuart Skinner EDMONTON – It wasn’t the result they wanted, but it could have been worse.

    Jeff Skinner, It's Your Time To Shine Now

    Oilers Host Special Guest Mark Carney

    Former Oilers Holloway & Broberg Come Up Clutch

    How Oilers Can Get The Most Out Of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

    Revamped Oilers Blueline Could Be Best In The League

    Oilers Game Schedule For March 2025 Oilers Game Schedule For March 2025 EDMONTON -- It's trade deadline month.

    This next week will be fascinating. It would be very encouraging if the Oilers could hunker down and eke out some wins without their twin engines, but it's hard to get too upset if they struggle without McDavid and Draisaitl.

    It's not exactly a win-win, and the games they'll play without their superstars matter just as much in the standings as any other, but the stakes are relatively low this week. As long as McDavid and Draisaitl come back healthy, the Oilers will be just fine.

    We'll leave you with a little bit of history, and a chance to Remember Some Guys. Below is the Oilers' lineup from the last time neither McDavid nor Draisaitl were available, the last game of the 2014-15 regular season. 

    Remember, Oilers fans, it could always be worse.

    Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.