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Oilers Make Official Lineup Moves Ahead of Game 1 Involving Connor Brown

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 1:52 PM ET

It was reported yesterday that Oilers' Connor Brown was out of practice with an illness, jeopardizing his availability for tonight's Game 1, but he will play.

Multiple sources from Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers report veteran Oilers right winger Connor Brown is a game-time decision, but he almost certainly will play, as Jeff Skinner stayed out longer than everyone else.

Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic reports that, 'Jeff Skinner is still on the ice for an optional skate. Likely that Brown plays and Skinner is out.'

TSN's Chris Johnston reports, 'Jeff Skinner took a long morning skate with the Oilers scratches, which makes it seem likely that Connor Brown will play Game 1.'

Brown has battled a variety of things this playoffs, a foot injury early in the playoffs, then a head shot in Game 4 vs. Dallas that ruled him out for Game 5. Now, he's battling what's apparently an illness.

A.J. Greer is out for the Panthers, being replaced by Jesper Boqvist

For the Panthers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald writes that head coach Paul Maurice confirmed A.J. Greer is out, with Jesper Boqvist coming into the lineup.

A glance back at the Stanley Cup Final series last season between the two clubs finds Edmonton averaging 13 Grade A scoring chances a game to Florida's 8.7. However, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was the difference in the series.

It will likely come down to goaltending once again, as whoever has the hotter goalie in the series will likely be hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup.

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

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