Oilers make major line changes for tonight's game vs Colorado Avalanche
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
The Edmonton Oilers are in for a big test tonight against a talented Colorado Avalanche team, and Coach Knoblauch is loading up his top six once again.
At practice yesterday, the Oilers continued to run lines that have become consistent over their last few games. Against a tough team tonight though, Knoblauch may have been planning to switch up his lines.
Oilers reunite McDavid and Draisaitl in new lineups to face Colorado Avalanche
According to Oilers reporters at practice, the team has shifted their line combinations to the following:
McDavid and Draisaitl will be playing together again, a dominant duo that's proven to generate offence against any opponent. Jack Roslovic will get the well-deserved promotion to the top line after scoring 7 points in his last 6 games.
The second line will be a reliable group of veterans that can match up against any opposing line. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will play center between Vasily Podkolzin and Andrew Mangiapane. It's a good two-way line, but it may struggle to generate scoring chances.
Yesterday's apparent 3rd line of Tomasek, Savoie, and Howard has been shifted down to the new 4th line. Instead, the line of Adam Henrique, Noah Philp, and Trent Frederic will be bumped up.
On defence, Alec Regula will finally re-enter the lineup after sustaining an injury early this year. Paired next to Darnell Nurse, they may be playing on a new-look third pairing.
In net, Stuart Skinner will get the assignment, and will be looking to prove himself against the high-flying Avs offence.
The Oilers are desperately searching for a lift early this season as they stand with a mediocre 6-5-4 record.
With a game against a top tiered opponent, this is a chance for the Oilers to elevate their game and start curbing out a winning streak.
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