How the Oilers could replace Zach Hyman

“He’ll be out awhile, we’re not expecting him back,” Knoblauch said. Multiple reports said the surgery would be on his wrist.

On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss what Knoblauch’s next decision could be, and if they go an unconventional route for Game 5 on Thursday.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Kris Knoblauch has an interesting decision. I think a lot of people do the quick, “Oh you lose a top-six player? Put Jeff Skinner int he lineup.” But I don’t think it’s as simple as that.

Jason Gregor brought up this name earlier, as the Oilers could really use a penalty killer with both Hyman and Connor Brown out, but Noah Philp is a damn good penalty killer in Bakersville this year, and he’s very good in the faceoff circle. I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that Jeff Skinner comes into the lineup.

Frank Seravalli: I agree, and I would consider giving Philp a shot, since he has size and can win faceoffs. But I would go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. If Mattias Ekholm is ready to go, try and ease him into the lineup.

If you win, it’s your last game before the Stanley Cup Final, and I don’t know if you want to just toss Ekholm into the Stanley Cup Final. It’s a great luxury to throw him in Game 5, then his next game might not be for a week and a half.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…