Oilers top line in chaos with injury and substitutes for second round
This year, the Edmonton Oilers will need to pass through a Canadian rival in the Vancouver Canucks to pinch their ticket to the Conference Final. However to start the series, the Oilers won't be near full health.
The team's trade deadline acquisition Adam Henrique is looking unlikely to play at least game one against the Canucks, and he's become a fixture on the top line in the playoffs. Without Henrique, Coach Knoblauch has admitted there isn't a clear substitution for his spot that won't disturb the other lines. For as long as Henrique is out, the Oilers could see a real chaotic solution to the top line left wing.
In practice so far, Mattias Janmark has been taking reps on the first line - but he's clearly been acting as a placeholder. In game one, Knoblauch has said that a few different forwards could be seen rotating in and out of that spot. Janmark will start there, but Dylan Holloway, Warren Foegele, and veteran Connor Brown could draw into the lineup and see some ice time with McDavid and Hyman.
Henrique has proven to be an adept trade deadline acquisition for his newfound role on the top line. He has some offensive ability to make good on tap-ins in front of the net, and allows other forwards to rest and make good on their ice time on the penalty kill. Without Henrique, the Oilers will be forced to use some chaotic solutions for their top line - but no matter what, it will be carried by McDavid and Hyman.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Oilers top line will be hurt by the injury to Henrique? | ||
| Yes, they won't be as good | 28 | 32.9 % |
| No, McDavid will carry it anyway | 56 | 65.9 % |
| See Results | 1 | 1.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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