Edmonton Oilers reveal new lines at practice with 2 forwards added, Podkolzin out

The Oilers made the roster move to add Hutson and Howard earlier today, with these two rookies bringing some real offensive talent to a bottom-six that is being heavily outscored.

According to Oilers reporters at practice, the team is expected to use the following combinations for tomorrow's game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers. Podkolzin is sick, so his status is uncertain for tomorrow.

Mangiapane is assuming Podkolzin's space for now in the second line, but that could be a temporary fix after he was healthy scratched and benched last game. Roslovic is staying on the right of Draisaitl, and otherwise the top six remains the same.

The 3 rookies of Hutson, Savoie, and Howard all practiced on the 4th line. It'd be incredibly disappointing to see Knoblauch give them limited minutes tomorrow, especially when the third line is 3 of the most offensively useless players in the NHL.

The defence pairs remain the same, and Calvin Pickard is expected to get the start tomorrow.

Most of the attention on tomorrow's game will be on the rookie line. Howard and Hutson have been dominating the AHL, and could be part of the solution in fixing the Oilers' bottom six. Knoblauch needs to give them a fair shot - not 6 minutes of ice.

At the end of the day, Coach Knoblauch may see it as the rookies have to force themselves up the lineup with their play. Hopefully they have a good game against the Flyers in tomorrow's matinee, and put some pressure on the underperforming vets in the Oilers lineup.