Edmonton Oilers make shocking scratch ahead of game vs. Ducks
The Edmonton Oilers have made a rather shocking change to their lineup ahead of this afternoon’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has not been pleased with the play of offseason addition Jeff Skinner, demoting him down to the fourth line over the past couple of games, and it appears he’s seen enough for now.
Knoblauch confirmed with reporters just mere hours before puck drop that Skinner would come out of the lineup as a healthy scratch to make room for veteran Derek Ryan.
“Derek Ryan is coming into the lineup, Jeff Skinner is out,” Knoblauch said.
Coach Knoblauch spoke with the media ahead of today's game in Anaheim about the #Oilers lineup vs. the Ducks & yesterday's overtime loss to the Kings.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/jvyqFlbuxk
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 29, 2024
Skinner has struggled to regain the scoring touch that he had in each of the last two seasons that he spent with the Buffalo Sabres. The 32-year-old has scored at least 24 or more goals in each of his last three NHL seasons but has just six goals in his first 35 games with the Oilers.
Before the holiday break, Daily Hive asked Knoblauch what Skinner needed to do to earn some extra ice time. The response was that injuries and slumps would provide an opportunity for the veteran scorer to move up the lineup. That answer was a tad bit confusing as Knoblauch has been almost completely unwilling to entertain Skinner in the top six despite multiple injuries to top wingers.
During Saturday’s 4-3 OT loss to the LA Kings, Knoblauch opted to play Kasperi Kapanen on his off-wing on the third line rather than give Skinner a slight promotion. This signals that there is a bit of distrust coming from the coaching staff on the player.
It’s hard to see how a pure goal-scorer like Skinner can thrive in a bottom-six group that is expected to defend more than they score, but it’s clear that a line in the sand has been drawn.
Ryan will take Skinners’ spot on the fourth line beside Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry. The 38-year-old has been a healthy scratch for three of the team’s last four games. This marks the first game all season that the Oilers will play without Skinner in the lineup.
The only other change to the Oilers lineup will be Calvin Pickard getting the start in goal as he relieves Stuart Skinner on the back half of a California back-to-back.