As we mentioned previously, the Edmonton Oilers lineup planned for Game 6 is a familiar one. Well for the most part anyway. Tonight is Game 6 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Finals and Head Coach Kris Knoblauch is known for two things. One is sticking with a winning lineup, but two, is having a finger on the pulse of the club. The second is a very underrated aspect of any coach’s repetoire. Here’s the Oilers planned lineup formation ahead of tonight’s Game 6 tilt with the Dallas Stars with the Oilers currently leading the best of seven series 3-2.
The Edmonton Oilers Depth Pieces Key Ahead of Game 6 Tonight
What About the Hype Behind Corey Perry for the Edmonton Oilers Game 6 Lineup
Well Corey Perry is in tonight for the Oil. He has found a way to continue to be productive even at the rype old age of 39. On the regular reason, he had 22 points in 54 games, and averaged almost 13 and a half minutes a night. Moreover, in the playoffs, Perry has always been known to elevate his game. Despite only one assist in 12 post-season games, he finds a way to be valuable to his club. He has played over 11 minutes a minute, thrown over a hit a game, and generates shot attempts (22). He’s always come alive in the playoffs, and once reason Knoblauch is pushing the right buttons having him in again tonight.
Who’s All In for the Oilers?
When you look across the Oilers lineup, that just means only one switch is coming from Game 5’s winning formula. Therefore, some of the recent lineup changes that aren’t changing are as follows Ryan McLeod, Corey Perry, Adam Henrique, and Connor Brown are all in. Also, Philip Broberg, yes, he who scored a Game 5 goal, stays in, replacing the excellent penalty killer, Vincent Desharnais. However, the big advantage with having the more mobile Broberg in, is the fact that Brett Kulak can support Darnell Nurse. Nurse has really struggled in this year’s playoffs, but having Kulak as his partner seems to work. The Oilers do need to find a way to get Nurse going. His VCF% Rel wasn’t great in the regular season at -7.9 but has dipped to -11.4 in the playoffs. Of course, that wouldn’t be so bad, but his production is way down from 0.40 PPG during the season to just three assists through the Oilers entire 17 game playoffs thus far. Finally, Stuart Skinner is the starter, if you were wondering if that was the Oilers big lineup change.
Some Final Notes for Oilers and What Lays Ahead
The only lineup change for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6, different than Game 5, is Derek Ryan is in. He is replacing Sam Carrick. The other notable scratch is Warren Foegele. Tonight’s Game 6 lineup by Knoblauch is just a combination of going with what works and also keeping things fresh. The Oilers offence is top-heavy, with their top five scorers having 17 points or above. After that, ten skaters have between three and eight points. Just enough depth to find success? Well it has been so far. It will be interesting though if they don’t win tonight, or anyway, against the Florida Panthers. The Panthers possess depth throughout their lineup, from Aleksander Barkov right down through Kyle Okposo. Stay tuned for all the action tonight, as the Oilers will try to wrap their series against the Stars up tonight in Game 6 from Edmonton, Alberta.
Main photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
