Edmonton Oilers make wholesale line changes before do-or-die Game 6
The Edmonton Oilers are tinkering with their lineup ahead of a do-or-die Game 6 against the Florida Panthers.
Edmonton trails the Stanley Cup Final series 3-2 and is looking to drag the Panthers back to the Alberta capital for a winner-takes-all Game 7 on Friday night. To do that, they will have to find a way to steal a win in Florida on Tuesday night.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch has not been shy to change up his lineup when needed, and it appears he did just that on the eve of Game 6. The Oilers skated on Monday morning in the Sunshine State, where some new-look lines were shown off.
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug shared the lines from Florida.
Lines were a bit jumbled but best guess at today’s formation. Full team skate.
Pod (93) McDavid Brown
Skinner Draisaitl Kane
Frederic Henrique Arvidsson
Kapanen Janmark PerryRNH not on ice. 92 place holding
Skinner in what was starters net last time they skated here.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) June 16, 2025
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was not skating with the team, but Knoblauch did confirm that he is expected to play in Game 6. With that in mind, it appears that Vasily Podkolzin was acting as a place-holder on the top line.
Oilers fans can probably expect Nugent-Hopkins to stick there alongside Connor McDavid and Connor Brown. Podkolzin, on the other hand, may be a healthy scratch.
Jeff Skinner appears to have gotten a promotion into the top six. The veteran was skating on the second line with Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane. Skinner has a goal and two points through four playoff games this season.
Trent Frederic remains in the lineup, forming a third line with Adam Henrique and Viktor Arvidsson. Kasperi Kapanen looks like he will draw in once again, this time on the fourth line alongside Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry.
Knoblauch refused to name his starting goalie for Game 6, but Stuart Skinner was skating in the starter’s net at practice. Skinner has been pulled in each of his last two starts in the Stanley Cup Final.
The sophomore coach has a knack for hitting the right buttons at the right time. If he can do it again, it’ll set up a dramatic final showdown in Edmonton. If not, it’s more heartbreak for the Oilers.