Oilers confirm multiple major lineup changes for Game 4 vs Panthers at practice

Reports surfaced yesterday that the Oilers were considering at least one line change, being Troy Stecher in for John Klingberg - but they ended up making multiple adjustments.

According to multiple Oilers reporters at practice, the team will be scratching Viktor Arvidsson and John Klingberg in tonight's game, instead adding Jeff Skinner and Troy Stecher.

Connor Brown will move up to the first line alongside Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who participated in a full practice after being named a game-time decision. Jeff Skinner will take the third line assignment, bumping Corey Perry down to the 4th line.

In net, Stuart Skinner will get the start after some debate that he could lose the crease to Calvin Pickard. If he stumbles early on, the call to Pickard could happen quickly.

On defence, pairings got another significant shake-up. Ekholm and Walman are taking the first pair, with Bouchard bumped down to be with Kulak, and Tory Stecher with Darnell Nurse - a pairing designed to help the struggling $9.25M defender. These pairings will likely be fluid through the game.

The change to insert Troy Stecher has been much needed to bring stability to the defence, but the addition of Jeff Skinner is an interesting move from the Oilers too.

Adding him on the third line, they're clearly looking for an addition of offence and fresh energy in the bottom six. Right now, the Panthers elite third line featuring Brad Marchand is eating up the Oilers bottom six - maybe a Jeff Skinner goal sways the tides a little bit.

The Oilers are clearly shaking things up ahead of a nearly-must win game. Edmonton needs to steal a win in Florida, and if they can, they'll head home for a best of 3 series with home ice advantage - or be pushed to the brink of elimination.