Oilers make call on key forward with injury before Game 2 vs Dallas Stars, reveal new lines at practice

Brown has been dealing with an injury since the end of the Vegas series, and was considered a game-time decision in Game 1. It's clear the Oilers want to make a switch for a healthier body in the press box.

Forward Jeff Skinner was getting reps in the third line with Adam Henrique and Evander Kane as a placeholder for Brown. The rest of the Oilers lineup remains unchanged from Game 1.

Connor Brown may be a third liner, but he's become an essential player for the Oilers and a key playoff performer.

Brown was averaging around 16:00 TOI in the second round, and serves as a key presence on the penalty kill. He hasn't contributed much offence yet, but has always been a clutch scorer. Losing him to injury would be a significant blow to the Oilers.

Jeff Skinner was skating on the third line, but it's still no guarantee that he'll play his second playoff game of the year.

It still may be possible that Brown plays tonight, or the Oilers instead opt to insert Viktor Arvidsson.

If they do add Jeff Skinner, hopefully he can find a way to impact the game with some depth scoring. The 1000+ game NHL veteran has over 370 career goals - not bad for a third liner. Playing the biggest game of his life too, the Oilers should see him incredibly energized tonight.

Hopefully Brown will be able to come back soon to aid the struggling penalty kill, but the Oilers should be able to survive his absence with their deep forward group.