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Edmonton Oilers show off new third line and revamped defensive pairs

Preston Hodgkinson
Preston Hodgkinson
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Jan 8 2026, 6:38 pm
Edmonton Oilers show off new third line and revamped defensive pairs
Sergei Belski/Imagn Images

The Edmonton Oilers are coming off a 6-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night, but they are still trying to find the right combination on the blue line.

A victory will usually stave off major line changes, but head coach Kris Knoblauch was looking ahead to Thursday night’s matchup against the league-worst Winnipeg Jets. Adam Henrique was placed on IR yesterday with a return date set for after the Olympics.

That forced Knoblauch’s hand up front, but he did make a few more changes to his defensive pairs. OilersTV’s Tony Brar had the full lineup from Thursday’s practice in Winnipeg.

There will be a new third line suiting up for the Oilers tonight with Jack Roslovic centring rookies Ike Howard and Matt Savoie. That trio looked very good in limited minutes against the Predators, and Knoblauch gave them a stamp of approval after the game.

Trent Frederic will also draw back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch on Tuesday. He will play on the fourth line next to Curtis Lazar and Mattias Janmark. Andrew Mangiapane will remain in the pressbox.

On the blueline, it appears that Knoblauch is trying to find the right partner for Darnell Nurse. Alec Regula will draw out of that spot and into the press box, while Spencer Stastney will take over his role on the second pair.

Riley Stillman will also get back into action after being scratched for the past three games. He will man the third pair alongside Ty Emberson.

Between the pipes, the Oilers are going back to Calvin Pickard, who was excellent against the Jets last week, stopping 41 of 42 shots in a 3-1 victory.

Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. MST.

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