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Kris Knoblauch Reveals Crucial Lineup Changes for Game 4 vs. the Golden Knights

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated May 12, 2025 1:57 PM ET

A mere hours before the puck is set to drop for Game 4 between the Oilers and Golden Knights, Kris Knoblauch revealed some crucial lineup changes.

The Edmonton Oilers have a crucial Game 4 tonight at Rogers Place as they try to regain playoff series traction against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Oilers, with a red-hot start on the road by taking Games 1 and 2, lost Game 3 back home, now a test of whether they could recover from the pressure.

A win tonight would send the Oilers back to Vegas with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to finish it off. A loss would even the series and give home-ice advantage back to the Golden Knights.

Edmonton, the oldest playoff team at an average age of nearly 31, is counting on its veteran roster and the lessons of last year's deep playoff run.

Calvin Pickard is still injured so Stuart Skinner will get the start

Head coach Kris Knoblauch made it official that Stuart Skinner will be the one between the pipes once again after Calvin Pickard's six-game winning streak was put on hold after Game 2, as he hurt his leg when Tomas Hertl fell on it.

Knoblauch is also making key lineup adjustments. Viktor Arvidsson is expected to sit this game out, so the door is open for Kasperi Kapanen to play himself into the lineup tonight.

On defense, Troy Stecher seems to be playing, with Ty Emberson tagging along with the scratches in practice. With line combinations unknown after a mysterious morning skate, we could expect the status quo, unless some familiar duos are reunited.

Knoblauch emphasized he'd like the team to 'play faster,' and that could be the motivation for changes that would bring more speed.

In Game 3, Knoblauch oscillated between stacking Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the same line and splitting them up.

Two of Edmonton's three goals were achieved with both superstars on the ice simultaneously, another wrinkle to tonight's decisions. Will the changes generate the response the Oilers need? We will find out in a matter of hours.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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