Veteran Oilers forward entering lineup for first playoff game
The Edmonton Oilers will begin their series on the road in Vancouver tonight, and without their top trade deadline acquisition in Adam Henrique. With Henrique out with injury, coach Knoblauch is calling on Connor Brown to enter the lineup.
Since the end of the first round series against Los Angeles, Henrique sat out of practice for maintenance for a leg injury. When Henrique had to miss practice again yesterday, the team made the decision to call on the depth players to step up in his absence.
Mattias Janmark will start on the top line, but it's expected that Knoblauch will mix in several depth players in that spot, and maybe elevate Draisaitl, Kane, and Nugent-Hopkins for shifts on the top line with McDavid and Hyman.
Connor Brown enters the lineup for the Edmonton Oilers after injury to Henrique
The signing of Connor Brown proved to be a disaster for the Oilers this season. It was hoped that he would provide some depth scoring this year for a league minimum contract this year, and a $3.225M bonus next year. Instead, Brown only scored 4 goals in 71 games, and has been healthy scratched so far in the playoffs.
During the last stretch of the season, it seemed like Connor Brown finally found his game with the Oilers, and showed real positive signs. Knoblauch is hoping the Oilers get that version of Brown tonight, and hopefully he can answer the call in the big moment.
For Connor Brown now, all that needs to be thrown out the window. So what his year didn't go as he wanted? Tonight, he has an opportunity to come into the lineup and make an impact on winning an important game - be it on the penalty kill, with some productive fourth line shifts, or maybe even potting a clutch goal. At this point, nothing about his contract or his season matters, the Oilers just need a solid effort tonight from Brown.
| POLL | ||
Do you like Knoblauch's decision to add veteran Connor Brown into the lineup? | ||
| Yes, he's the best depth we have | 39 | 48.1 % |
| No, could be another player instead | 39 | 48.1 % |
| See Results | 3 | 3.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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