Edmonton Oilers show off Game 5 lines with two key changes
The Edmonton Oilers have a chance to take their first series lead over the LA Kings tonight.
They will do so with a similar lineup to the one that started in Game 4, but a tad bit different than the lines that eventually got them the victory. As the Oilers fell behind the Kings, head coach Kris Knoblauch decided to load up the top line with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, as well as separate a struggling Darnell Nurse-Evan Bouchard defensive pair.
Those changes seemed to have worked as Edmonton mounted a third-period comeback and eventually won in OT off a Draisaitl power-play goal.
You’d think those changes would stick heading into an all-important Game 5 in L.A., but that doesn’t appear to be the case. OilersTV’s Tony Brar detailed the full Oilers lineup from this morning’s skate:
EDM lines – Morning Skate:
RNH – McDavid – Hyman
Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Arvidsson
Kane – Henrique – Brown
Frederic – Janmark – PerryExtras: Skinner, Kapanen, Jones, Ryan
Nurse – Bouchard
Walman – Klingberg
Kulak – EmbersonExtras: Stecher
Pickard
Skinner#Oilers— Tony Brar š (@TonyBrarOTV) April 29, 2025
McDavid and Draisaitl are back on separate lines, at least to start tonight’s playoff matchup. Whether or not they remain together is likely dependent on who is able to build up a lead first.
The Oilers captain will anchor the top line with familiar linemates Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. Draisaitl is back in his usual second-line centre role with Viktor Arvidsson and Vasily Podkolzin on his flanks.
Evander Kane is looking to make another big impact after an eventful Game 3 of the series and hitting the post in Game 4. He is with Adam Henrique and fan-favourite Connor Brown down on the third line.
Meanwhile, Corey Perry has been shifted back down to the fourth line after spending a lot of time on the top line with McDavid and Draisaitl last game. We’ll see how long he lasts there alongside Trent Frederic and Mattias Janmark.
On the blueline, the strangest move is reuniting Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse on the top pair. Those two have not been good together in this series, and one could argue that splitting them up in the third period of Game 4 helped spark the team to a comeback.
Bouchard seemed to play more to his strengths when Jake Walman was put on his left side. However, Walman will slide down to the second pair with a surprisingly good John Klingberg, while Brett Kulak and Ty Emberson round things out on the third pair.
Between the pipes, Calvin Pickard appears to be making his third consecutive start. He is coming off two victories against the Kings and posted an impressive .927 SV% in Game 4. It’s hard to argue that he deserves to come out of the Edmonton net.
Game time is set for 8 p.m. MDT.