The Oilers coach revealed more lineup changes due to players' sickness
In a crucial twist of events, Oilers coach Knoblauch has unveiled new lineup changes ahead of the pivotal Game 6, where the team faces elimination.
As tension mounts, the Oilers' strategy and roster decisions could be the difference between extending their season or heading home.
The lineup was initially set to see a shift, especially in the third line, as Corey Perry was slated to be a healthy scratch. However, unforeseen injuries and illnesses have thrown a wrench into these plans. Coach Knoblauch revealed that Adam Henrique is out for tonight's game and hinted at the possibility of Perry making an appearance after all. The final decision hinges on the health of another player currently battling illness, whose identity and game-time status remain uncertain. The developments can be followed through updates shared by TSN's Ryan Rishaug here:
Adding to the Oilers' predicament, defenseman Mattias Ekholm has been notably absent from practices this week. His participation in the last game was significantly reduced to just 18 minutes, a sharp decrease from his usual 22+ minutes on the ice. The team has yet to confirm if Ekholm is the player affected by the illness, but his reduced ice time is a concerning indicator of his current fitness. Details on Ekholm's situation were shared by THackAttack:
In a significant goaltending decision, Stuart Skinner is set to start in net once again, despite having been sidelined earlier in the series in favor of Calvin Pickard. This choice suggests a return to the goaltender who played a pivotal role during the regular season, as the Oilers aim to find stability and resilience under pressure. The announcement was made earlier today and covered by Sportsnet:
The Oilers are at a critical juncture. With the series potentially ending on home ice tonight, the team must summon their utmost effort to overcome the Vancouver Canucks, who have been formidable opponents. After a lackluster performance in Game 5 by stars including Connor McDavid, the Oilers are banking on a strong rebound. It's a night where every pass, shot, and save will count exponentially more, and the team's collective spirit and resilience will be put to the ultimate test.
| POLL | ||
Which player do you believe is a game time decision with illness? | ||
| Mattias Ekholm | 22 | 55 % |
| Other | 13 | 32.5 % |
| See Results | 5 | 12.5 % |
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