The Edmonton Oilers are taking another shot at the Stanley Cup, marking their second consecutive year in the Final. They punched their ticket by dispatching the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final. Waiting for them is a rematch against Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers.
This postseason, the Oilers have shifted the narrative by showcasing their roster's depth beyond just stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Their journey back to the Final has been defined by unexpected contributions from throughout the lineup, positioning them as one of the deepest teams in the NHL.
In their decisive Game 5 victory against the Stars, Edmonton demonstrated exactly how their depth is paying dividends. With injuries sidelining Zach Hyman and Connor Brown, the Oilers called upon Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. Both players rose to the occasion, with Arvidsson assisting on a Mattias Janmark goal and Skinner netting a crucial goal against Stars’ goalie Casey DeSmith, pushing the Oilers to an early 3-0 lead.
Hyman's injury will keep him out for the rest of the playoffs, putting even more pressure on the team's supporting cast. Fortunately, Brown's condition seems less severe, with indications pointing towards his availability for Game 1 on Wednesday. However, Brown's return poses a dilemma for head coach Kris Knoblauch: which player will make way?
Decision Time on the Lineup
Once Brown is ready to go, a reshuffling of the lineup is inevitable, though it's hard to argue that anyone deserves to be benched. Skinner, Arvidsson, and Kasperi Kapanen are likely candidates for rotation, and it's most probable one of them will sit.
Among them, Skinner stands out as the likely odd man out despite his Game 5 heroics. At 33, he's struggled to secure a consistent place under Knoblauch, having spent much of the season alternating between the ice and the press box. His goal to secure a lead in Game 5 might have bought him a reprieve, but it remains to be seen.
Arvidsson could also be the one to step aside. Expectations were high when he joined the Oilers last offseason, but he has yet to consistently meet them.
Kapanen poses another interesting case—though sidelined in the first round, he seized his chance with a series-winning goal against the Vegas Golden Knights and has since brought a noticeable physicality to the team. His attributes might be valuable against the Panthers, yet his status is still uncertain.
There's also Trent Frederic, managing limited productivity with just a goal and three assists in his 16-game playoff run. Considering his lack of regular-season games due to a high-ankle sprain, one might wonder if lingering issues are affecting his play, potentially making him a candidate for a swap if he’s not at 100%.
Expect All Hands on Deck
With the Oilers’ depth propelling them forward, it's tough to predict who’ll be watching from the sidelines come Wednesday. Yet, under Knoblauch’s dynamic guidance, lineup changes are hardly unusual. We might see all these players stepping up at different points throughout what promises to be an intense Stanley Cup Final, potentially stretching to seven games once more, mirroring last year’s thrilling series.
