Edmonton Oilers Announce Starting Goalie, Lineup For Game Against Utah Hockey Club
Moments ago, the Edmonton Oilers took the ice for practice before their first game against the Utah Hockey Club, with Calvin Pickard in the starter's crease.
The Oilers lineup will be entirely the same as their last game against the New York Rangers, a much needed blowout 6-2 win.
Most notably off the bat, forwards Zach Hyman and Victor Arvidsson remain ruled out with injury for tonight's game.
In their absence, the Oilers forwards lines are looking much different - especially with newcomer Kasperi Kapanen riding on the first line with Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Connor Brown is getting the promotion up to the second line tonight, where more often it's Corey Perry that moves up in a pinch. Leon Draisaitl and Vasili Podkolzin continue to be the anchors for that second line.
The only way Jeff Skinner can even get off the fourth line is when two key players get injured.
Skinner is still being kept out of the top six in the third line with Henrique and Janmark, making it pretty clear Skinner is in Coach Knoblauch's doghouse.
Travis Dermott is once again the defenceman being healthy scratched for tonight's game, with Troy Stecher seemingly solidifying himself as the most trusted depth defenceman.
Dermott has been getting healthy scratched more often now, and recently, got a rough benching from Paul Coffey, only playing 5 minutes of ice time in a full game. It seems that if not for the current injuries, Travis Dermott may be off the NHL roster already.
Tonight's game against the Utah Hockey Club will be the first in NHL history between the two teams.
It will be a cool opportunity for Oilers fans to see a new market, and a cooler opportunity for Utah fans to be dazzled by the speed and skill of Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Oilers will beat Utah tonight? | ||
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
