Oilers coach addresses ridiculous defence pairing, hint that a player could return from injury

The Oilers will be making some significant changes to their lineup tonight with new combinations at forward, and some odd combos on defence - potentially hinting at the return of one player.

Even the most staunch supporter of Evan Bouchard would admit that he doesn't have the defensive acuity to lead a pairing with Klingberg - who's even more unreliable in his own zone.

When asked about the controversial pairing after practice, Knoblauch had an interesting comment that it essentially wouldn't happen.

It wouldn't be much mind games just to switch up pairings at practice, but the Oilers could get a little stronger on the blueline tonight if Troy Stecher is able to return from injury.

Stecher was the team's most reliable depth piece this season on the blue line, and could be comfortably added to make the entire group better. That would allow the Oilers to run back more familiar pairings of Bouchard with Walman, and Nurse with Kulak.

Much of tonight's lineup feels like it could be entirely switched by game time - or at least should be. Most Oilers fans don't have much confidence in nah of Knoblauch's decisions for tonight.

Going down 0-3 to the Kings in the playoffs is not a situation the Oilers want to find themselves in. Tonight is a full-blown must win game for Edmonton to crawl back into this series, and continue their hopes for a long playoff run.