Oilers set to play worst defenceman in NHL in game 1 of playoffs
Photo credit: USA TODAY
The Edmonton Oilers are just days away from the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs and it appears that head coach Kris Knoblauch has decided to insert one of the worst defenseman in the NHL for game one.
Edmonton Journal's David Staples tweet it that Josh Brown will be in the lineup and that defensemen like Cam Dineen who is far better will remain outside rather than playing.
Oilers ready to juggle the lines as players return from injury
Brown has been leaky in his game and has only registered one assist through 10 games played and only plane 12 minutes and 37 seconds of average ice time.
The Oilers injury bug has taken a toll on the team over the past couple of weeks, but it appears that many of the players are close to return including Trent Frederic, Evander Kane who has been out all season and Leon Draisaitl.
Key decisions remain with Knoblauch as some pundits think that players like Kasperi Kapanen and Mattias Janmark Should be pulled for game one.
It will be fascinating on how the Oilers will navigate all these changes to their lineup especially with the returning players as many have felt it will upset the chemistry that they have developed since the players have departed.
Oilers open series on the road in Los Angeles
This series will be different than the last as the Oilers will open on the road as they finished below the Kings in the standings.
Both teams are eager to get started as this will be the fourth time, they have played one another in the first round of the playoffs.
There will likely be some nervous energy from both clubs especially in game one as the expectations are high has Los Angeles looks to move on for the first time in quite a while and the Oilers have their sights on another long Stanley Cup run.
Game one of the opening round is set to begin on Monday April 21st and game time will be 10:00 PM eastern.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 18 | 876 ANSWERS Oilers set to play worst defenceman in NHL in game 1 of playoffs Do you think the Oilers chemistry will be fine with all the changes to the lineup for Game 1 of the playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 639 | 72.9 % |
| No | 237 | 27.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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