Kris Knoblauch makes unpopular line up decision for game 1
The Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch made an unpopular decision for his line up ahead of the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers.
Yesterday, the Oilers held a practice session and we saw the possible line up that will be send on the ice tonight.
At the blue line, Knoblauch decided to keep Philip Broberg at Vincent Desharnais' expense, and reunited Cody Ceci with Darnell Nurse on the second pair.
As for the forwards, Warren Foegele is back on the third line, Adam Henrique is now on the fourth line. Derek Ryan and Same Carrick will be out of the line up.
"The
@EdmontonOilers
practice in Florida:
RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Kane-Draisaitl-Holloway
Foegele-McLeod-Perry
Janmark-Henrique-Brown
Carrick, Ryan, Gagner
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Ceci
Broberg-Kulak
Kemp-Desharnais
Skinner
Pickard"
@EdmontonOilers
practice in Florida:
RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Kane-Draisaitl-Holloway
Foegele-McLeod-Perry
Janmark-Henrique-Brown
Carrick, Ryan, Gagner
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Ceci
Broberg-Kulak
Kemp-Desharnais
Skinner
Pickard"
In the playoffs, Nurse and Ceci struggled a lot. They faced a lot of backlash, but if they pull off great performances, they could get back on the fans' right side.
As for Desharnais, it wouldn't be surprising to see him in the line up if the team feels it needs a reliable defensive defenseman at some point in the series.
Finally, the other controversy surrounds Sam Gagner. The veteran is likely in his last few games in the NHL and if he doesn't play a game in the Finals, his name won't be written on the Stanley Cup.
Do you think Kris Knoblauch made the right line up decisions for game one of the Stanley Cup Finals?
Source: Oilers Daily
Oilers coach Knoblauch makes controversial line change before Cup Final
Oilers coach Knoblauch makes controversial line change before Cup Final
| POLL | ||
JUIN 8 | 108 ANSWERS Kris Knoblauch makes unpopular line up decision for game 1 Do you think Kris Knoblauch made the right line up decisions for game one of the Stanley Cup Finals? | ||
| Yes | 54 | 50 % |
| No | 54 | 50 % |
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