Oilers Preseason Lineup Features Full Top 9 and Final Test for Tryout Candidate
Photo credit: SaltWire
The Edmonton Oilers only have two preseason games left, and now Coach Knoblauch is clearly trying to get the main group warmed up.
The Oilers will take on the Seattle Kraken tonight, and their lineup is projected to be very close to the opening night lines. The top three forward lines are out tonight, and the defence is intact with the exception of Travis Dermott.
After the Oilers last preseason game, Connor McDavid suggested that the Oilers need to begin ramping up to be ready for the regular season. He requested to play the last three preseason games, and his drive to improve seemed to rub off on the whole team. The Oilers had their most intense practice in training camp yesterday, and now they'll essentially be icing the opening night lineup. Every player knows they've got to be ready for the long grind of the regular season.
The fringes of tonight's lineup is very interesting too. Noah Philp is in direct competition with Derek Ryan for the fourth line center job, but tonight both players will play together on the line. Philp has impressed everyone at training camp, and at this point seems to be a lock to make the roster. The only factor working against him is the fact that he's waiver eligible, and the Oilers may want him to get more ice time in the AHL after missing the last season entirely. Travis Dermott has looked to be a quality depth defender in training camp, and tonight will get a look in the top four to make the case for a contract.
Tonight's preseason game won't be televised, but again broadcasted on Oilers+ behind a paywall. Fans can use the presale code PRESEASON24 to get free temporary access. The regular season is now only one week away!
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