Oilers’ Viktor Arvidsson in lineup for Game 5, Kasperi Kapanen out

A notable change down the lineup for the Edmonton Oilers heading into a crucial game.

During morning skate in the lead-up to Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, it was revealed that forward Viktor Arvidsson will re-enter the lineup in place of Kasperi Kapanen.

Arvidsson took Kapanen’s spot on the fourth line with Evander Kane and Mattias Janmark.

This is the first time that Kapenen has been out of the lineup since Game 3 of the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights. Unfortunately, after playing a key role in the Oilers’ victory over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final, the 28-year-old’s ice time has diminished over the last couple of games of the final, playing no more than nine minutes in the past two contests.

In his first 11 games of these playoffs with Edmonton, Kapanen had scored three goals and three assists for six points, spending most of his time on the ice with Leon Draisaitl as his center. Kapanen has three assists in the first four games against the Panthers.

Arvidsson was scratched from the lineup for the fourth game of the series, which saw the Oilers rally from a 3-0 deficit to win the game in overtime, 5-4, and send the series back to Alberta tied at two games apiece. In the Swede’s 14 games so far in these playoffs, he has notched two goals and five assists for seven points, scoring a goal and an assist over the first two contests in the final.

The 32-year-old hops in the forward group as Edmonton looks to regain the series lead. After coming away with an overtime win in the first game of the final, the Oilers dropped the next two, including an embarrassing 6-1 defeat in Game 3 last Monday. However, Edmonton’s big response on Thursday night has renewed confidence in the team and its fanbase.

Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for Saturday night, with puck drop scheduled for a little after 8 p.m. ET.