Oilers coach Knoblauch makes critical mistake with lineup at practice

At today's practice after a blowout loss to the Dallas Stars, the Edmonton Oilers returned to a crutch they've had for years - putting McDavid and Draisaitl on the top line together.

The Oilers had an unorthodox practice today to try to shake things up, with head coach Knoblauch only observing and allowing Gulutzan to run the drills. However, it's definitely Knoblauch directing the line change, and it is becoming something we're seeing more often.


For many of the Oilers recent games against top ranking teams, this is a strategy we've seen Knoblauch break out. There's obvious benefits to playing the two superstars together, but as Oilers fans have seen in many years, playing Connor and Leon together weakens the other lines far too much. When the Oilers play the superstars together, they can often get away from their tight defensive game and play more high scoring track race games. Plenty of fans spoke out about the constant need the Oilers seem to have of going back to the ‘McDrai' line.




Especially when the Oilers have found one of the best first line combinations with Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid, and Hyman, the decision to change up the top six seems questionable. Even Draisaitl has recently been developing some chemistry with Adam Henrique and Corey Perry.

We'll have to see how the decision pans out, but it's becoming clear that Knoblauch likes the pairing of McDavid and Draisaitl against the more skilled teams in the league. For that reason, it will surely be something we'll see Knoblauch break out in the playoffs.