Oilers scratch three regular players in massive lineup changes before game 4
Heading into a crucial game 4 against the Dallas Stars on home ice tonight, the Edmonton Oilers are making bold choices with their lineup to scratch three regular players.
According to reports, Vincent Desharnais, Warren Foegele, and Sam Carrick will come out of the lineup. In their place, Ryan McLeod, Corey Perry, and Philip Broberg will play tonight.
Desharnais has been a fantastic role player for his size and strength on the bottom pair, but the Oilers are struggling to move the puck from the back end right now. Coach Knoblauch is betting that the more skills-oriented Philip Broberg can be the answer.
Warren Foegele has also struggled through this year's playoffs, finding himself on the fourth line more often than not. Despite the fact he can be confused for McDavid with his speed and skating, sometimes Foegele just isn't making enough of a positive impact in the bottom six.
Inserting both Ryan McLeod and Corey Perry needs to be a move that works for the Oilers. Both of those players should be hungry to enter the lineup and prove that they can be difference makers in the playoffs, and that they should be back in the lineup full time.
The Oilers defence has begun to shows signs of serious struggle against a heavy forechecking team in the Dallas Stars. Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci have taken some heat for some botched plays, but Desharnais hasn't been fantastic either. It's tough to see Vinny come out, but if the Oilers season continues, he will be needed again.
With these three bold lineup moves from Kris Knoblauch, hopefully the Oilers hit the right notes to seriously boost their team, and tie the series as it shifts back to Dallas.
| POLL | ||
MAI 29 | 289 ANSWERS Oilers scratch three regular players in massive lineup changes before game 4 Do you think scratching these three players is the right moves for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4? | ||
| Yes, agree with all | 169 | 58.5 % |
| Don't scratch Desharnais | 74 | 25.6 % |
| Don't scratch Foegele | 22 | 7.6 % |
| Don't scratch Carrick | 24 | 8.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
