Oilers coach Knoblauch makes several major line changes before taking on Leafs

Tonight the Edmonton Oilers will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a highly anticipated game, and Oilers coach Knoblauch is loading up.

Ahead of the big game, Knoblauch is turning to the old reliable option on the first line of reuniting McDavid and Draisaitl. Pairing those two together does come at the expense of other lines, but the combination is so deadly that they can win games on their own.


McLeod, Nugent-Hopkins, and Foegele will make up a new look second line. Evander Kane remains on the third line, now with Henrique and Corey Perry. It also appears Vincent Desharnais will re-enter the lineup just a week after breaking a finger, and will take his place with Darnell Nurse. Stuart Skinner will start in goal.



Pairing McDavid and Draisaitl together is almost a sure fire way to ensure the team is going to score a few goals, and really give themselves a chance to win. If those two can deliver on their superstar level expectations and the rest of the Oilers roster can chip in with some secondary scoring or quality defensive play, they should be able to take care of business against a weaker Leafs team also missing Mitch Marner.