Oilers Stick To Status Quo On The Road

Finn Marceau

Oct 17, 2024, 18:30

Finn Marceau

Oct 17, 2024, 18:30

The Oilers ice the same lineup as last game for their first road contest in Nashville.

Andy Devlin (Edmonton Oilers) - Oilers Stick To Status Quo On The Road

The Oilers might have found the secret sauce.

After new line combinations led them to their first win of the season on Tuesday night, the Oilers are rolling out the same lineup as they visit the Nashville Predators tonight.

Those lines did the Oilers well on Tuesday night: both Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid seem to have woken out of their slumps (though McDavid is still looking for that first goal), and the third line pitched in for two goals against the Flyers.

While I don't expect Draisaitl to stay on McDavid's wing for too much longer, this does indicate that the coaching staff is happy with Jeff Skinner on the third line. If he stays there once Draisaitl moves back to centre his own line, the Oilers could have three true scoring lines.

On defence, Troy Stecher is rewarded with his second game of the season after his fight with Sean Couturier kickstarted the Oilers' comeback against the Flyers.

Calvin Pickard gets his second start of the season between the pipes, giving Stuart Skinner the night off. Pickard is looking to turn his season around after giving up five goals to Chicago on Saturday.

Otherwise, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The same can't be said for Nashville, who have shuffled their lines after a disastrous 7-3 loss to Seattle on Tuesday.

Tommy Novak and Luke Evangelista have been promoted to the second line next to Steven Stamkos while Jonathan Marchessault and Cole Smith move to the bottom six. Philip Tomasino draws in for Juuso Parssinen.

The Predators have had a disappointing start to the year after a busy offseason, still looking for their first win. Marquee free agent signing Stamkos has been held pointless to start his tenure in Nashville, while Marchessault is still searching for his first goal as a Predator.

The Oilers also get a look at possible trade candidates Dante Fabbro and Alexandre Carrier, who they were connected to throughout the offseason.

The puck drops at Bridgestone Arena at 6:00 PM MT, on Sportsnet West.

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