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Major changes expected in Oilers lineup after Coach Knoblauch called out team again

Originally posted on Oilers Daily | By Liam McCormick | Last updated Mar 14, 2025 4:22 PM ET

After the Edmonton Oilers lost last night's game to New Jersey and were called out by Coach Knoblauch multiple times this week, at least one major lineup change can be expected.

Coach Knoblauch has been turning to the nuclear option of McDavid and Draisaitl on one line, but yesterday specifically called out some players who play alongside the two superstars.

Oilers need to make major change to get spark into lineup quickly

Judging by Knoblauch's comments yesterday on the poor play of players next to McDavid and Draisaitl , some more changes can be expected on those players' wings - particularly with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jeff Skinner.

There's other guys on our team where - as nice as it is to play with McDavid and Draisaitl - they get away from their game. They're a little bit reluctant to do what makes us successful. They just defer.
- Coach Knoblauch

The two players who would best fit this description are Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jeff Skinner, who have been playing with McDavid and Draisaitl respectively in the Oilers pre-game lineups. Nugent-Hopkins also still gets first powerplay time, which may be coming to an end.

Nuge has simply not scored enough this season to continue to take a top line spot without contributing offensively - and not elevating McDavid. On the powerplay too, his lack of scoring should warrant a change.

Jeff Skinner has been playing better as of late, but he surely fits into Knoblauch's description of a player that changes his style higher in the lineup - that must be why Knoblauch keeps him in the bottom six. On the other hand, the sniper should get a look on the powerplay ahead of Nugent-Hopkins.

The coach's comments indicate that some big changes will be coming in the top six for today's game. The Oilers need a spark to get out of their current funk, and it's not going to happen being a one-line team.

This article first appeared on Oilers Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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