Oilers considering two significant lineup changes heading into Game 4
Following a frustrating 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 3, the Edmonton Oilers may be making a lineup change.
After a tough playoff run to this point, Ryan McLeod sat as a healthy scratch last night to make room for Adam Henrique. It marked Henrique’s first game of the Western Conference Final, as the 34-year-old was out with an ankle injury.
Henrique made a big impact, scoring a big goal to tie things up at three late in the second period. The Oilers weren’t able to come out on top, however, as Jason Robertson scored midway through the third period before Miro Heiskanen sealed it with an empty netter.
At today’s practice, McLeod was spotted back in his usual third-line role, centering Warren Foegele and Connor Brown. Head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters afterward that there is a strong possibility the 24-year-old is back in the lineup.
“There’s a good chance,” Knoblauch said. “We’ll evaluate today. He has fresh legs, and with what he’s provided us all year, there’s a good chance.”
The bigger change, however, may come on the back end. Darnell Nurse was one of four Oilers (Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane, Henrique) absent from today’s practice. In his place was Philip Broberg, who appears to have a chance at suiting up for Game 4.
Ceci has the to be the player that comes out https://t.co/S3XOrLMrpf
— Preston Hodgkinson (@NHLHodgkinson) May 28, 2024
“We’ve got a defenceman there that we’re confident in and could insert,” Knoblauch said. “We’re still considering what’s best for us. We’ve got six defencemen that have played almost every single game this year. It’s difficult to switch that up right now, but I’m not saying that’s not a possibility.”
Despite a rough Game 4, it will be Stuart Skinner getting the nod once again for Game 4. The 25-year-old had rebounded nicely after a poor stretch early in the second round but allowed a questionable game-winner to Robertson last night, which had some thinking Knoblauch would turn to Calvin Pickard for Game 4.
We should have a better indication of who is truly in and out of the lineup at tomorrow’s morning skate.
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