Edmonton Oilers could be making multiple line changes for Game 2
The Edmonton Oilers are looking to take a 2-0 series lead over the Anaheim Ducks, but they’ll have to do it with a different lineup.
Injuries will prevent the Oilers from running back their Game 1 lineup on Wednesday night. Adam Henrique was already ruled out for Game 2 after playing just under three minutes, and now Jason Dickinson might be drawing out as well.
The veteran centreman is coming off a brilliant playoff debut with the Oilers, netting two goals in Game 1, but he was not out on the ice for Wednesday’s pre-game skate. Instead, it was Curtis Lazar in his third-line centre spot next to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jack Roslovic.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch admitted that Dickinson may not be able to play in Game 2.
“He’ll be a game-time decision,” Knoblauch confirmed with reporters.
"You've got some of the best players in the league in that room. The rest of the team looks at these guys who are stoic, calm & confident, it spreads to the rest of the team."
Kris Knoblauch on the #Oilers ability to remain calm under pressure.
@Enterprsie | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/fWmZqz67xG
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 22, 2026
If Dickinson can’t go, Lazar appears ready to draw back into the lineup. This would be the former Oil Kings’ first playoff appearance since he got into six postseason games with the New Jersey Devils back during the 2022-23 season.
Knoblauch did say that Lazar likely wouldn’t be centring the third line if that was the case.
“I think if he wasn’t able to play, in that hole, Nuge would be a better fit for that third-line centre,” Knoblauch said.
Meanwhile, we already knew that Henrique would not be able to play in Game 2. Knoblauch confirmed that his replacement will be rookie Josh Samanski, who will make his Stanley Cup Playoff debut beside Trent Frederic and Colton Dach.
The German rookie notched two goals and four points in 24 NHL games this season.
“I expect [Samanski] to be playing tonight,” Knoblauch said. “We’ve been very happy with him all year… Somebody the coaching staff felt really comfortable on the ice.
“He’s wired to play good defensive hockey. We knew he was never going to hurt us when he was on the ice.”
No other lineup changes were seen during the morning skate, which likely means the rest of the roster remains unaffected by these changes. Connor Ingram is expected to get the start for Edmonton once again.
On the other side of the ice, the Anaheim Ducks will be without their captain, Radko Gudas, for Game 2. Head coach Joel Quenneville listed him as being day-to-day.
Gudas will not play tonight in game two.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) April 22, 2026
Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. MT at Rogers Place.