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Edmonton Oilers Set to Get Major Reinforcements Ahead of Game 2


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Daniel Lucente
April 23, 2025  (1:21 PM)
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Edmonton Oilers' John Klingberg shown during team practice
Photo credit: NHL.com

The Oilers are likely going to be getting a good amount of help for tonight's game against the Kings, as Evander Kane and John Klingberg are ready to play.

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer is signaling that the Edmonton Oilers will most probably retain Stuart Skinner as their goalie for Game Two against the Los Angeles Kings.
While head coach Kris Knoblauch had signaled Monday that he was still weighing his goalie options, Stauffer's news carries serious weight given his close access to the team.
Stauffer added that Evander Kane and John Klingberg, if they're cleared, would replace Jeff Skinner and Josh Brown, which was later made official by the '2 Mutts Hockey Podcast' on X that both Kane and Klingberg will play tonight.
"Let's get to the (line-up) changes," Stauffer said his Oilers Now show on Monday. "Let's get to Klingberg potentially coming in for Brown, because I think it's going to happen. It's probably easier to come back if you get behind if you've got Klingberg in there. And I'm not sure that you really think Brown is a shutdown guy if you're only playing him five minutes a game (his time on ice in Game One). And then Evander Kane. They have both got to get cleared to play. But Jeff Skinner waited a long time to play. And he was on the ice for three goals against and he was on the ice for one for. And I can foresee a scenario where Kane comes in for Jeff Skinner and Klingberg potentially for Josh Brown."
The Oilers will receive a physical presence in Kane, despite his absence of a significant time. Klingberg, also out most of the season, brings needed back-end puck-moving ability.

Kane's physical play should help the Oilers tonight

To ask them to dominate right away is perhaps too much at the moment, but even Kane's aggressive forecheck and the slick puck movement from Klingberg would be an improvement.
And as for Skinner, his Game One showing was a cause for concern. He was particularly slow on L.A.'s second goal and was outmuscled by a knucklepuck through a heavy Warren Foegele screen on the game-winner.
But it appears the Oilers are relying on their starter to rebound tonight. Nobody knows the Oilers' situation better than Stauffer, so his reports are worth a close look.
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Edmonton Oilers Set to Get Major Reinforcements Ahead of Game 2

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