Oilers Lines Without McDavid Pose Real Challenge vs. Wild

The Edmonton Oilers will run some interesting lines to start tonight the game versus the Minnesota Wild. Reports are that the first line will consist of Evander Kane, Leon Draisaitl and Mattias Janmark. The second line will feature Warren Foegele with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. The third line will be Dylan Holloway with Ryan McLeod and Connor Brown. The extra two forwards in the 11-7 deploytment will be Adam Erne and Derek Ryan.

Draisaitl will the go-to guy in this offense and Nugent-Hopkins will need to keep having a strong season.

As you can see, the strategy to split up the lines without Connor McDavid going because of an injury opens up some questions about the Oilers’ depth. The biggest concern is that Janmark is all the way up to the top line, something some fans are calling a blatantly obvious issue. Woodcroft told the media Tuesday morning, “You don’t replace the best hockey player in the world…but what an opportunity it is to show what kind of team we are.”

This is also going to be an opportunity for Evander Kane to put his money where his mouth is. On Saturday, the forward took a verbal shot at his lack of ice time during a Hockey Night in Canada interview with Scott Oake. Head coach Jay Woodcroft didn’t see anything negative about Kane’s comments, but it did put the forward in a situation where it’s time he does more than just talk. Kane was also taking reps on the first-unit power play.

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The Oilers are still without a third period goal this season. They’re hoping to break that slump and they’ll likely need to if they stand any chance of winning this contest.

Oilers Going with Campbell and Trying to Score Goals

Jack Campbell appears to be getting the start in goal for the Oilers as they go back out on the road and try to overcome a losing record on the season. The good news is they’ll be taking on a team in the Wild who have been terrible in their own end this year. If the Oilers are going to break out and score some goals, this might be the defense to do it against.

Edmonton has faced significant challenges in their recent visits to Minnesota, with a record of 1-8 in their last nine games.

Next: Woodcroft Reacts to Evander Kane, Shifts Power Play Role