Panthers will dress one of NHL's most hated players in Game 6 vs Oilers

The Florida Panthers will be making another lineup change heading into Game 6 tomorrow night versus the Edmonton Oilers.

Game 5, which the Panthers wound up losing 5-3, saw them put Ryan Lomberg into the lineup for the first time in the Stanley Cup Final. It appears Lomberg will remain in, while another Panther will see his first action in this series.

Nick Cousins, who has suited up for 11 playoff games so far this year, will play on the fourth line tomorrow alongside Lomberg and Kevin Stenlund.

“It’s his turn to draw in,” head coach Paul Maurice told reporters this morning.

Throughout his 592-game career, Cousins has primarily been a bottom-six forward who provides a lot of energy. In recent seasons, he has become one of the NHL’s most hated players due to some questionable on-ice antics.

Despite his reputation, Cousins has proven to score goals at opportune times. He scored the Game 5 overtime winner in last year’s playoffs, eliminating the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round.

The Oilers, meanwhile, who have won two straight and battled from a 3-0 series deficit to make it 3-2, don’t appear to be making any changes to their lines. Evander Kane, who has missed the last two games due to injury, was on the ice this morning but skated on a fifth line alongside Sam Gagner and Sam Carrick.

Looks like Knoblauch is running the exact same lineup as Game 5 this morning.

Kane skating on an extra line with Gagner and Carrick… wouldn’t expect them to play tomorrow.

We’ll see what Kris says after practice #Oilers

— Preston Hodgkinson (@NHLHodgkinson) June 20, 2024

The Oilers will wait one more day before having a chance to pull off what felt nearly impossible and square this series up at three apiece. Their goal-scoring has come alive with 13 goals over the last two games, thanks in large part to Connor McDavid, who recorded four points in each of those outings.

Puck drop for Game 6 is set for 6 pm MT.

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