Oilers Make Surprising Last Minute Changes
Edmonton Oilers made some big changes before their game against the Montreal Canadiens.
EDMONTON -- Kris Knoblauch isn't known for constantly changing the Edmonton Oilers line combinations.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nr3z2Ej0Mg[/embed]
Yet for tonight's game against the Montreal Canadiens - he's put the top three lines into a blender.
This morning the Oilers had an optional skate, so the lineup was not yet set. Here is how the lines rolled out during warm ups.
Most of the changes here involve the third line. Evander Kane is elevated to Connor McDavid's wing - while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins slides down to play wing with Adam Henrique.
Derek Ryan slots into the lineup, replacing Connor Brown.
My sense is that two things are happening. The first thing is that Ryan is healthy and Knoblauch wants to get him into game action as the team ramps up for the playoffs.
Secondly - Knoblauch wants a new look on the third line to give the team more scoring depth down the stretch.
We'll see if the change pays off.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0zeHpUluM8[/embed]
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