EDMONTON – Kris Knoblauch may be a relatively new NHL coach, but he’s a professional juggler.
Line juggler, that is.
The Edmonton Oilers are in win-now mode for Game 3 against the Los Angeles Kings. If they lose Friday night, they will put themselves in a hole that they likely won’t escape.
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It’s an elimination game, even though it’s not technically an elimination game.
Knoblauch brought his blender to morning skate. Here were the lines.
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Oilers Forward Lines
Draisaitl - McDavid - Hyman
The Oilers top line at the end of Game 2 remains intact for Game 3. The Oilers were able to generate a solid amount of opportunities with the line of Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and Zach Hyman. We will see if that streak continues with Game 3.
Podkolzin - RNH - Arvidsson
Knoblauch has reunited the line of Vasily Podkolzin, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Viktor Arvidsson. They inspired confidence at the end of the regular season with some solid play. The Oilers will look for this line to constantly get pucks to the net and get in Darcy Kuemper’s kitchen.
Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) on X
The @EdmontonOilers morning skate:
Draisaitl-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-RNH-Arvidsson
Kane-Henrique-Brown
Frederic-Janmark-Perry
Skinner/Jones-Ryan-Kapanen
D rotating:
Klingberg-Bouchard
Nurse-Emberson
Kulak-Walman
Brown-Stecher
Pickard
Skinner
Kane - Henrique - Brown
Moving Evander Kane down from the second line to the third line makes sense. The adrenaline from playing for the first time in 10 months has worn off and it’s time for him to settle into a routine. He was skating on a line with Adam Henrique and Connor Brown.
Frederic - Janmark - Perry
Its official, the Oilers have created their own line to be a pest against the opposition. Mattias Janmark will center Trent Frederic and Corey Perry. Janmark brings speed, Perry brings great puck skill, all three bring a nastiness that is required for the postseason. The only way this line could agitate the opposition more is if Kane replaced Janmark, but The Janitor isn’t a pushover in any way.
Oilers Defense Pairings
Klingberg - Bouchard
The Oilers haven’t shied away from putting two lefties or two righties together this season. However, the pairing of John Klingberg and Evan Bouchard is fascinating to see. The coaching staff was clearly impressed with Klingberg’s game. We will see how well this holds in a game scenario.
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Nurse - Emberson
Darnell Nurse was skating with Ty Emberson. Emberson has been a solid third pairing defender for the Oilers this year. Now that’s the playoffs, we will see if he can elevate his game on Friday night.
Kulak - Walman
Something about Jake Walman being paired with Nurse wasn’t working, so now he finds himself with Brett Kulak. With the pairings set up the way they are, I anticipate that the game plan is to have everyone play as close to equal minutes as possible.
However, we know that things don’t always go as planned and all of this could be thrown in a blender if things go sideways in a hurry.
Calvin Pickard Over Stuart Skinner?
Calvin Pickard appeared to be in the starter's net at morning skate. Unless someone says otherwise, he is the projected starter over Stuart Skinner.
It’s the playoffs, though, and things could change on a dime. The Oilers could be going through with this, or it could be a big ruse.
However, all will be revealed at puck drop tonight.
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