An NHL insider covering the Oilers has revealed who he believes will be playing for Edmonton when they take on the LA Kings in game one of the playoffs.
According to Sportsnet play-by-play man and Edmonton Oilers insider Jack Michaels , here's his educated guess at the team's Game One lineup versus the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.
Projected lines for Oilers, Game 1 at LA.(this is purely a guess, based on speculation by yours truly, but have at it for fun).
Michaels is highly plugged in, spending time with the players, coaches, and management. He also closely communicates with Bob Stauffer, widely regarded as the Oilers' best insider and a reliable source of information regarding the team.
While Michaels spins this as light speculation, his commentary holds water. Even the coaches might not have absolute knowledge yet as to who is healthy and what the lines are going to be.
Jeff Skinner and Connor Brown have woken up at the right moment for the Oilers
Jeff Skinner and Connor McDavid have been showing terrific chemistry of late, bringing energy on the top line.
Connor Brown, on the other hand, has started to resemble the Top 6 forward the Oilers believed they were acquiring before he went down with his knee injury. Recovery has taken a while, but his recent performance is promising.
That being said, if Zach Hyman is healthy, it's difficult to imagine him not slotting back in with McDavid, which would push Brown to the third line.
If Evander Kane is game to roll, a lineup of Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Hyman or Brown can become an impactful third line, crucial in a crowded Western Conference.
The fourth line appears to be blending Janmark's burning speed with the plodding but highly veteran Perry and Henrique. While goalless so far this season, in the previous year, Janmark was a playoff dynamo with his speed and puck pressure.
Holding on to such a playoff performer may be a valuable decision.
