Oilers insider reveals veteran will be healthy scratch, two players may return to lineup in Game 2
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
The Edmonton Oilers may be in for some significant like changes before Game 2, with insider Bob Stauffer suggesting Jeff Skinner and Josh Brown will be healthy scratches.
Evander Kane may be close to making his return, after Elliotte Friedman reported Game 2 could be a possibility for the Oilers forward.
Jeff Skinner, Josh Brown expected to come out of Oilers lineup
According to Bob Stauffer on last night's edition of Oilers Now, Jeff Skinner and Josh Brown could come out of the Game 2 lineup for Evander Kane and John Klingberg.
Let's get to the changes. Let's get to Klingberg potentially coming in for Brown, because I think it's going to happen. It's probably easier to come back if you get behind if you've got Klingberg in there.
And then Evander Kane. They have both got to get cleared to play. But Jeff Skinner waited a long time to play. And he was on the ice for three goals against and he was on the ice for one for.
I can foresee a scenario where Kane comes in for Jeff Skinner and Klingberg potentially for Josh Brown.
- Bob Stauffer
And then Evander Kane. They have both got to get cleared to play. But Jeff Skinner waited a long time to play. And he was on the ice for three goals against and he was on the ice for one for.
I can foresee a scenario where Kane comes in for Jeff Skinner and Klingberg potentially for Josh Brown.
- Bob Stauffer
The swap to take Josh Brown out of the lineup is truly an easy decision. Brown had only played 10 games with the Oilers all season, and in Game 1, was benched hard after a costly mistake on the penalty kill.
Jeff Skinner set to be healthy scratched in Oilers Game 2
It's a little tough to see Jeff Skinner come out of the lineup, after his first playoff game in his 1000+ game career.
On the other hand, Skinner doesn't play the playoff-brand of hockey coach Knoblauch wants to see in the bottom six.
Skinner has been a healthy scratch regularly this season, and Coach Knoblauch has admitted he hasn't been the best fit on the roster. In the bottom six, a physical player would be a better fit.
Coming back from major injuries to play his first game in the playoffs, it's not known what a 33 year old Evander Kane could bring. It's fair to expect he'd be rusty.
The Oilers will certainly have a tough choice to make when Kane returns to the lineup, but that's a result of their incredibly deep forward group. Even if Skinner comes out now, hopefully he can find a way to impact a series later.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 23 | 629 ANSWERS Oilers insider reveals veteran will be healthy scratch, two players may return to lineup in Game 2 Do you think Jeff Skinner will be a healthy scratch in this year's playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 447 | 71.1 % |
| No | 182 | 28.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
