Edmonton Oilers make three lineup changes before Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final

The Edmonton Oilers are hoping a little change can spark their team.

Following an ugly 6-1 loss on Monday night that dropped the Oilers to a 2-1 series deficit against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch is making a series of lineup changes.

Defenceman Troy Stecher and winger Jeff Skinner will be making their Stanley Cup Final debuts, coming into the lineup for John Klingberg and Viktor Arvidsson, respectively.

In addition, Corey Perry has been bumped from the first to the fourth line, swapping spots with Connor Brown.

Here’s how the full forward lines shake out, as per Oilers team reporter Tony Brar:

Nugent Hopkins – McDavid – Brown
Kane – Draisaitl – Kapanen
Skinner – Henrique – Frederic
Podkolzin – Janmark – Perry

And here are the defensive pairings, with Stecher slotting in:

Ekholm – Walman
Nurse – Stecher
Kulak – Bouchard

While it looked like Stuart Skinner might’ve been benched as Edmonton’s starting goalie in favour of Calvin Pickard, the former will indeed be getting the call tonight. Skinner was pulled after allowing his fifth goal on Monday, giving Pickard 16:33 of mop-up duty action.

For the Oilers, it probably goes without saying that this is one of the biggest games this group has ever played.

They’re not officially in a must-win situation — and they’ve shown their ability to never be counted out in a playoff series — but they’ve certainly got one heck of an opportunity ahead of them in Game 4.

Win, and they’re back to Edmonton with an even series. Lose, and they risk getting embarrassed on home ice and possibly handing out the Stanley Cup to the Panthers as soon as Saturday.

Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. MT, with the game broadcast on both CBC and Sportsnet.

You might also like:
• Edmonton Oilers duck media at Stanley Cup Final by holding secret practice