Oilers' coach Knoblauch shakes up the team after consecutive losses
After winning eight straight games, the Edmonton Oilers have cooled off slightly now with back to back losses at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Both games saw different goaltenders let down the team to varying degrees, and now, the Oilers' head coach is making some significant lineup changes to shake up the team.
At practice today, the Oilers skated with much different lines than was deployed even last night. The dominant top line has been switched out, seeing Evander Kane promoted to play with McDavid. On the second line, Draisaitl is now playing between Nugent-Hopkins and Foegele, and Janmark and Brown have been demoted to the third line.
Derek Ryan was also notably absent from practice, as the veteran centre left the game after taking a hard hit last night.
After losing two straight games, the Oilers have found themselves back under .500 with a record of 13-14-1. They're not far out of a playoff spot, so hopefully Knoblauch's line changes can spark a response in the team during their next game against the Islanders on Tuesday night.
POLL |
DECEMBRE 17 | 639 ANSWERS Oilers' coach Knoblauch shakes up the team after consecutive losses Do you agree with these lineup changes? |
Yes | 409 | 64 % |
No | 126 | 19.7 % |
Woodcroft was better | 104 | 16.3 % |
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Previously on Oilers Daily