Edmonton Oilers might have a new unexpected top line for the playoffs
Connor McDavid is back in the Edmonton Oilers lineup and he’s finding some success with two unexpected linemates.
It’s no secret that the Oilers have been playing shorthanded for the past few weeks with several key players sidelined with injuries and illnesses. This has caused the coaching staff to get a bit creative with the lineup in recent games, with players filling in different roles.
That has worked to varying success, but a new-look top line has been turning heads lately. Edmonton has won the past three games and the line of Jeff Skinner, McDavid, and Connor Brown has contributed an eye-popping 13 points over that span.
Brown in particular has been on fire with four goals in his last three games.
“They’re pushing the play and creating a lot of scoring chances,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch after Sunday night’s 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.
“Throughout the last week or two, [Brown] has been playing a lot with [McDavid] and those two Connors have been playing really well together.”
Connor with the steal, Connor with the goal 🤝 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/Ozbm6pAEWT
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 14, 2025
The chemistry between Brown and McDavid has been on full display, which shouldn’t be too surprising considering the two played together with the OHL’s Eerie Otters back in their junior days. However, while the Oilers captain has ascended to superstardom, Brown has taken on more of a bottom-six role for this Edmonton squad.
That could change in the playoffs if the results continue to be positive.
“I think it’s a good thing to have some comfort with different line combinations,” Brown said. “I really love playing with [Skinner] and [McDavid], I thought we’ve generated a lot these three games.
“It’s just important to be comfortable being able to go with whatever combination need on any given night.”
"I believe in myself, I believe in this group & I think that's really the core of it. We've been working all season to get better… it's nice to be able to contribute."
Connor Brown on scoring his fourth goal in three games, all #Oilers wins.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/A4NEtrv1w2
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 14, 2025
If this does indeed become Edmonton’s new top-line heading into the playoffs, it will give the coaching staff plenty of options on the other lines. Draisaitl will surely slot in as the de-facto second-line centre and could potentially have players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman slide down to be his wingers.
The Oilers have been needing role players to step up all season long and it appears guys like Brown are heating up at the right moment. The next challenge will be to do it at the most important time of the season.