Brown will make his Oilers' playoff debut on Wednesday as he draws back into the lineup for the injured Adam Henrique (lower body) for Game 1 vs. Vancouver. The 30-year-old right-winger struggled mightily in his first season in Edmonton, with only four goals, eight assists, 108 SOG, 10 PIMs and -8 plus/minus in 71 games played. He is expected to take a fourth-line role on Wednesday.
Henrique (lower body) was absent from Edmonton's first two practices ahead of their second-round series vs. Vancouver and will not dress for Game 1 on Wednesday as he is replaced by Connor Brown. The 34-year-old appeared in all five of Edmonton's opening series games and had a goal, an assist, and four SOG while averaging 15:51 TOI.
Henrique (lower body) was absent from Edmonton's first two practices ahead of their second-round series vs. Vancouver and appears unlikely to dress for Game 1 on Wednesday but will have a full update after the morning skate. The 34-year-old appeared in all five of Edmonton's opening series games and had a goal, an assist, and four SOG while averaging 15:51 TOI.
Edmonton only ran an optional morning skate ahead of Game 5 on Wednesday but Skinner is expected to start as the Oilers look to close out the series. The 25-year-old netminder has played well in the Oilers opening series, with his 3-1-0 record, 2.48 GAA, .919 SV% and one shutout. He will look to propel Edmonton to the next round as he hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, who finished the regular season with the 2nd best penalty kill (84.6%) in the NHL.
Edmonton only ran an optional morning skate ahead of Game 5 on Wednesday but is expected to start as the Oilers look to close out the series. The 25-year-old netminder has played well in the Oilers opening series, with his 3-1-0 record, 2.48 GAA, .919 SV% and one shutout. He will look to propel Edmonton to the next round as he hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, who finished the regular season with the 2nd best penalty kill (84.6%) in the NHL.
Podkolzin has failed to draw into the lineup for Vancouver's first four playoff games and has been sent down to Abottsford (AHL) to receive some playing time. In 19 games with Vancouver this season, the 22-year-old Podkolzin scored two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 10:49 time-on-ice.
The Oilers will unsurprisingly turn back to Skinner between the pipes for Game 3 on Friday despite taking the loss in Game 2. Skinner's stat line in Game 2 left a lot to be desired, as he allowed five goals on just 26 shots enroute to a 5-4 overtime defeat. The Oilers' starting netminder now owns a below-average .857 SV% through his first two games of the 2024 post-season. The sportsbooks do like his chances of rebounding on Friday, however, as the Oilers' enter action as -140 favourites over the Kings.
After an impressive 7-4 victory in game one against the Los Angeles Kings, the Oilers will return to Skinner between the pipes in game two. Skinner was serviceable in game one, saving 33 of 37 shots (.892 SV%) and did not allow a goal until midway through the second period when the game was already out of reach. The Oilers enter action on Wednesday as -183 home favourites.
Janmark was nicked up at the end of the season and was questionable heading into their series with the Kings. Look for him to skate on the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Evander Kane.
Kane revealed on Sunday that he's been dealing with a sports hernia this season and they decided it was best to rest him for the final three games of the regular season. Kane skated on the fourth line in Sunday's practice, so expect him to play a minimal role to begin the series vs. Los Angeles.
The Oilers will roll with Skinner in the crease in their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner lost two of his last three starts (1-2-0), including allowing four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their final game of the season when the Oilers opted to rest their top five offensive contributors on the team. That said, Skinner had a serviceable 2023-24 campaign, posting a 2.62 GAA and .905 SV% in 59 contests (36-16-5). The Oilers enter game one as -165 home favourites.
The Oilers will likely roll with Skinner in the crease in their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner lost two of his last three starts (1-2-0), including allowing four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their final game of the season when the Oilers opted to rest their top five offensive contributors on the team. That said, Skinner had a serviceable 2023-24 campaign, posting a 2.62 GAA and .905 SV% in 59 contests (36-16-5). The Oilers enter game one as -165 home favourites.
Kane revealed on Sunday that he's been dealing with a sports hernia this season and they decided it was best to rest him for the final three games of the regular season. Kane skated on the fourth line in Sunday's practice, so expect him to play a minimal role to begin the series vs. Los Angeles.
Janmark was nicked up at the end of the season and was questionable heading into their series with the Kings. However, his availability for Sunday's practice is a great sign that he'll play in game 1. Look for him to skate on the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Evander Kane.
Kane missed the final three games o f the regular season but if he's able to practice on Sunday, it's likely that he'll be available for game 1 vs. the Kings. It was a bit of a disappointing season for the veteran winger, who finished the season with 44 points (24G / 20A) in 77 games.
Skinner will get the nod in the Oilers' regular season finale on Thursday after Calvin Pickard got the start in Arizona on Wednesday. Skinner picked up the win his last time out, allowing two goals on 21 shots as the Oilers cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Sharks. The 25-year-old netminder rebounded nicely after a poor start to the season, posting a 36-15-5 record and a .907 SV% across 58 appearances. He will have his hands full on Thursday with the Oilers likely resting some key players in Colorado as they finish the season on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Ekholm will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Evan Bouchard, and Connor McDavid will all join him in the press box tonight.
Bouchard will get the night off on Thursday as the Oilers opt to give him the night off to rest ahead of their playoff run. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Connor McDavid, and Mattias Ekholm will all join him in the press box tonight.
