Kris Knoblauch Changes Oilers’ Second and Third Lines

The Edmonton Oilers didn’t look sharp in the pre-season. They allowed six goals four times and four goals twice. And outside of the home game v. Seattle, where they scored five goals, the offence sputtered, producing 13 goals in the other seven games.

However, it is pre-season, and Leon Draisaitl was quick to point out there is no reason to panic.

“I personally don’t put a lot of stock into it,” said Draisaitl. “Do we have to be a lot better than we’ve shown? Of course, but it is fair to say that it is tough going from game seven of the Stanley Cup Final to a pre-season game on a Wednesday night. I’m not saying you aren’t trying, but it takes you a bit longer to find your game and your legs. There shouldn’t be any motivational issues on Wednesday.”

I’ve seen teams dominate the pre-season and miss the playoffs, while others have struggled in the pre-season and had very strong regular seasons. Edmonton won five of eight pre-season games last year, but then started the regular season 2-9-1. I don’t think there is any carry-over to the regular season, but Draisaitl is correct in that they do need to play better. And I suspect they will.

The Oilers’ new second line didn’t do much in the pre-season, and Kris Knoblauch opted to change his middle two lines Monday. He was quick to point out after that we might see Jeff Skinner back on Draisaitl’s line Tuesday, but then added he thinks having Skinner on the third line at times gives them three scoring lines.

Skinner had no 5v5 points while Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson each had one assist. Knoblauch might have been trying to give his team a jolt, although he did show us last season that he likes trying different combinations at times. Skinner needs to play better, but Draisaitl also mentioned his own game could be better.

“First of all, I’d like to say I think I can make any player better, it doesn’t matter what type of player they are,” said Draisaitl. “That is my goal and that is what I strive for. But it is tough to say how our chemistry will be. We’ve had two games together, and I can certainly say I wasn’t at my best. The real question towards that starts on Wednesday.”

Knoblauch had Skinner and Mattias Janmark swap lines and the second and third lines were as follows:

Janmark-Draisaitl-Arvidsson
Skinner-Henrique-Brown

My gut still tells me that at the end of the season, Skinner will have played the majority of his minutes with either Draisaitl or Connor McDavid. Skinner has been a great 5v5 scorer, and I don’t see what that would change this year. But he might not start there.

“We are not set on any of the lines right now,” said Knoblauch. “We know we need flexibility. With Skinner, if he does play with Rico (Henrique), it gives us more balanced scoring on the three lines, and maybe not so much of a shut down third line. We have to think about who we will play each night. Right now we are just trying to find out who can play well together, who is getting comfortable with each other, because each night it (matchups) will be a bit different,” said Knoblauch.

Knoblauch was asked how he felt that line looked in the pre-season.

“The chemistry of that line. There are a lot of passers, and wanting the slot shot, rather than finding guys. Right now I think it is best to play with the lines, and maybe a more north and south guy like Janmark. Maybe Perry goes up there, or Podkolzin. And with Skinner being with the third line, I know it will be tough to match (against) all three of our lines due to scoring.”

I also asked Knoblauch about what he saw from his team in the pre-season. Where does he think they are at?

“I think a lot of our guys’ minds have been on Stanley Cup playoffs, whether it was last year or the upcoming season and just not looking at the present moment and how important it is on whatever day it is, whether it is a practice day, or game day,” said Knoblauch. “But I think now that we are heading into the regular season, guys are getting a little more focused and ready for that. I don’t put a lot of stock into pre-season games, where it is mostly evaluation. You are trying to get ready and prepared for the regular season and hopefully we are ready on Wednesday.

“It is human nature to think about it (the Cup). I think the intensity of the Cup Finals, compared to the pre-season is very different, but now we have to get ready for the regular season and hopefully get home ice advantage for many rounds.”

It is very difficult for me to take anything concrete from pre-season. I’ve seen teams dominate, and then struggle in the regular season and vice versa.

The Oilers just need to play to their strengths. If they do, they should be fine, especially because three of their first home games are against teams (Calgary, Chicago and Philadelphia) who didn’t make the playoffs last season, and aren’t expected to this year. I could see Knoblauch spreading out his offence v. the Jets, but then loading up his top two lines against the Flames, Blackhawks and Flyers, because those teams aren’t as good.

The Oilers weren’t very good in the pre-season, but they don’t need to be great to start the year — they just need to be more engaged than they were in the pre-season.