Oilers Make Big Change Ahead of Stanley Cup Final Game 3

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers hasn't disappointed so far. Through the first two games, both contests have gone into overtime, with each team grabbing a win.

As the scene now shifts to Florida for Games 3 and 4, the Oilers will be looking to turn up the heat. Ahead of the crucial Game 3, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch discussed some potential changes coming to the defensive lineup.

“We’re always making adjustments to counter whatever teams are doing, who’s playing well,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “Our lines and defense pairs may switch up a little bit, whether it’s after the first period or it’s later in the game, whatever it is.”

Edmonton has been incredible on defense throughout the postseason, and it has helped them become so dominant. But it seems that the Oilers may want to counter some things that they saw from the Panthers in Game 2.

At the Edmonton practice on Sunday, Oilers defender Darnell Nurse was put on the top line of defensemen. Nurse spoke about the potential for changes coming before the next game.

“It depends sometimes on what day of the week it is, we could be playing with someone new,” the defenseman said at Amerant Bank Arena.