Oilers coach debuts new lines at practice, updates on Henrique
Before taking on the Dallas Stars in the third round of the playoffs, the Oilers are debuting a new look with their lines.
Coach Knoblauch will keep together the first line of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. Nuge really stepped up in the second round matchup against the Canucks scoring three goals, and this line has proven to be one of the most reliable in the regular season as well. As the most tenured player on the team, it's great to see Nuge elevate his game on the biggest stage and be rewarded with more ice time.
The second line is the most interesting retool. Adam Henrique skated with the second line today after missing 6 games against the Canucks with a lower body injury he sustained against the Los Angeles Kings. Still, Henrique is questionable to play game 1, but Knoblauch alluded he will enter this series. Along with Henrique and Draisaitl, Dylan Holloway got a well-earned seemingly full time promotion to the second line.
Holloway's speed and tenacity have looked incredible in the playoffs, and he's scored a few clutch goals as well. Just at the right time, Holloway is finding his game and may now be a part of the top six for years to come.
Evander Kane was absent from practice as has been the case through the playoffs. Kane will be in the lineup and battle through a sports hernia, likely drawing in on the third line, and potentially pushing Foegele to the fourth line.
The bottom six remains the same as what we've seen in the final games against the Canucks, with Corey Perry still a healthy scratch and Sam Carrick cantering the fourth line. Against a physical Dallas Stars team, Sam Carrick could really make good on the trade to bring him to Edmonton with some punishing fourth line shifts.
Tomorrow night at 6:30MT, the Oilers will kick off their series against the Stars at home. Hopefully having home ice advantage this time can propel the Oilers to take an early lead in this series, and finally punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final.
| POLL | ||
Do you agree with the Oilers promoting Dylan Holloway to the second line full time? | ||
| Yes, Holloway has earned it | 288 | 91.1 % |
| No, he's not ready yet | 23 | 7.3 % |
| See Results | 5 | 1.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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