The Edmonton Oilers are searching for a more well-balanced attack in Game 4 tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.
After dropping Game 1 to Vancouver, head coach Kris Knoblauch chose to pair up his two superstars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, on the top line in each of the past two games. They were fantastic together, seemingly generating high-danger opportunities each and every shift. The issue, however, was that when they were off the ice, the Oilers weren’t able to do much of anything offensively.
Based on line combinations at today’s morning skate, it will instead be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the first line alongside McDavid and Zach Hyman. After that, things get a little bit more interesting.
Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic believes that Leon Draisaitl will be down the middle of the second line with Dylan Holloway and Evander Kane as his wingers, making it likely that Ryan McLeod will centre the third line with Warren Foegele and Corey Perry. The fourth line at today’s skate was Derek Ryan with Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown.
Whether those combinations play out that way, however, remains to be seen. Speaking with reporters this morning, head coach Kris Knoblauch said that Philip Broberg is an option to suit up. If so, the Oilers will go with 11 forwards and seven defencemen rather than their usual 12 and six combination.
The other big change for the Oilers will be between the pipes, as Calvin Pickard will be getting his first start of the playoffs. The 32-year-old appeared in 23 games this season, posting a 2.45 goals against average (GAA) along with a .909 save percentage (SV%) and a 12-7-1 record.
While it may not be known until game time whether the Oilers go with 12 and six or 11 and seven, all signs are pointing towards McDavid and Draisaitl being split up. Puck drop for tonight’s action is set for 7:30 pm MT.
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