Oilers Adjust Lineup Against Kraken Without Star Players

EDMONTON, AB – The Edmonton Oilers will face the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night without their two superstars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who are sidelined due to injuries. This marks a significant shift for the team as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the Pacific Division.

Head Coach Kris Knoblauch emphasized the necessity for a collective effort, stating, “Everybody’s got to step up in some way. Those are two leaders for us, so everyone’s got to step up, and I think everyone’s pretty ready for that challenge.” The duo’s absence means other players will take on larger roles with more ice time.

The changes in the lineup present an opportunity for players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Viktor Arvidsson to lead the offensive charge. The newly formed top line of Vasily Podkolzin, Nugent-Hopkins, and Arvidsson remains unchanged from their previous match against the Winnipeg Jets, which ended in a 4-3 overtime defeat.

Adam Henrique joins Corey Perry and Zach Hyman on the second line, while Jeff Skinner, who scored two goals in the last game, will play with Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown on the third line. Centre Derek Ryan, returning from a lengthy absence, will be positioned on the fourth line alongside Max Jones and Kasperi Kapanen.

Coach Knoblauch noted the need for his players to elevate their games, stating, “When you don’t have 97 or 29, things change quite a bit, and we’re going to need a little more collective effort throughout the lineup from lines one through four.” This means the versatile Ryan will add depth to their faceoff and penalty-killing units.

The Oilers have maintained a positive outlook despite the loss of their star players, believing that increased responsibility could foster confidence ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. “The more somebody plays, the more they feel like they’re part of the game,” Knoblauch added.

McDavid and Draisaitl, who accounted for a significant portion of the team’s scoring, both sustained injuries during critical moments in recent games. McDavid’s absence is particularly felt as he has consistently performed against the Kraken, registering points in 11 of his 13 career games against them. Draisaitl holds a remarkable points-per-game average against Seattle, contributing significantly in prior matchups.

Additionally, the Oilers’ power play will undergo adjustments due to the absence of their leading scorers. However, players like Skinner and Arvidsson possess previous power-play experience, which the coaching staff is looking to leverage.

On defense, Ty Emberson remains a healthy scratch while the remaining defensemen, including Troy Stecher and Brett Kulak, have demonstrated solid performances recently. Coach Knoblauch acknowledged the importance of winning games during this crucial period, opting to stick with the six defenders currently in the lineup.

Starting goaltender Stuart Skinner, who was pulled from Thursday’s game due to concussion protocol after a collision, has been cleared to play against the Kraken. He aims to build on his performance, looking to secure a win amidst the ongoing challenges facing the Oilers.

The Oilers are currently three points behind the division-leading Golden Knights, with only 13 games left in the regular season.