Knoblauch confirms Oilers’ Connor Brown will play in Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final

While the Edmonton Oilers will be without winger Zach Hyman for their Stanley Cup Final rematch with the Florida Panthers, the team delivered some good news on the front: Connor Brown will be in the lineup for Game 1.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed the news Monday.

“I think he adds a lot of elements to our team, obviously on the penalty kill, we need him a lot,” said Knoblauch. “His speed, his checking, he’s provided some nice offence throughout the season.

“He’ll be part of our Game 1 lineup.”

Brown missed both Games 4 and 5 — and most of Game 3 — of the Oilers’ Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars after taking a big hit from defenceman Alex Petrovic, who Dallas placed on waivers over the weekend.

With him out of the lineup, both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl saw an uptick in their penalty kill time, helping fill the void that was left in Brown’s wake. Brown was on the ice for the Oilers’ Sunday practice, skating as an extra. There’s no word yet on who will come out of the lineup.

And while the Oilers didn’t practice Monday, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said McDavid — who left Sunday’s practice early — will be out there with the team.

“Connor will be out there. We didn’t have a full practice (today),” he said. We just felt if we practice again today, it would be four days straight on the ice, including that (Game 5 against Dallas). We don’t feel at this point of the season that we need to be on the ice every single day, working on skills.

“I think we had a good practice yesterday, a lot of work, a little systems things, but mostly just skating. Tomorrow will be a regular practice so we’re prepared — we feel that sets us up best for Game 1.”

The Florida Panthers took to the ice in Florida Monday morning, with winger Eetu Loustarinen skating with the team in his regular spot on the third line, according to Panthers senior digital content manager Jameson Olive.

Loustarinen left Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final with an undisclosed injury and didn’t return to the game. He tried to lay a hit on Carolina Hurricanes centre Mark Jankowski, missing and hitting the boards, and left that game in the first period.

The team was without fourth-line winger A.J. Greer, who Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said is day-to-day.

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final starts Wednesday night in Edmonton at 6:00 pm MT.