Oilers Shift Lineup Again at Practice, Promoting Fourth Liner to Top Six

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Liam McCormick
October 18, 2024 (7:06 PM)

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Oilers coach Knoblauch has been known to change up their lineup frequently, and today at practice Edmonton showed they'll run with new lines again in Game 6 of the season.

The Oilers announced their lineup directly on social media today. Depth forward Mattias Janmark is getting the promotion to second line left wing, alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Victor Arvidsson. Vasily Podkolzin was previously in that spot, who has now been bumped down to the fourth line. On defence, Troy Stecher is sticking in the top four spot. Stuart Skinner will be starting in net.

Draisaitl - McDavid - Hyman Janmark - Nugent-Hopkins - Arvidsson Skinner - Henrique - Brown Podkolzin - Ryan - Perry

Ekholm - Bouchard Nurse - Stecher Kulak - Emberson

Skinner Pickard

Coach Knoblauch may just want to get a good look at all his options as the explanation for switching Janmark and Podkolzin, but the older winger may not be the best fit on that line right now. Nugent-Hopkins is struggling to generate offence on his own, and Victor Arvidsson hasn't found his groove yet either. Podkolzin is in an extended scoring slump himself, but the Russian forward is playing a great physical game and posting fantastic analytic stats. On the other hand, Janmark scored just 4 goals last season - he's a checker and not much more.

At the end of the day, the current Oilers lineup is still most likely just trying to get McDavid and Draisaitl on a roll. Coach Knoblauch directly said that reuniting the superstars on one line is somewhat temporary as they find their rhythm early this year. Through the year and into the playoffs, it's very likely that McDavid and Draisaitl will be entering their own lines again, only joining up on the powerplay.

The Edmonton Oilers will play a day game tomorrow at 2:00 against the Dallas Stars on the road. Dallas will be the strongest team they've faced so far, and a team looking for revenge after being eliminated in the playoffs last year by Edmonton.