Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Oilers Set to Shake Up Roster Ahead of Crucial Game 4 Against the Panthers

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 12:42 PM ET

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch hinted that there was going to be a lineup change for his team for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday against the Panthers.

The Edmonton Oilers were left picking up the pieces after an embarrassing 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the SCF, who took a 2-1 series lead.

With an extra day between Games 3 and 4, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has hinted that there could be a lineup change for Thursday's Game 4.

In the 1st place, he said that forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would once again be a game-time decision as he was on Monday.

Ryan is going to be a game-time decision.

He was then asked about any specifics regarding a potential lineup change and if it would be in goal.

Yeah, we will likely have a lineup change. We haven't confirmed that or discussed that with our players yet, but there have been some things that we've been thinking about, and there may be a lineup change.
Stuart Skinner was replaced by Calvin Pickard after the former had allowed 5 goals; Pickard then allowed a goal himself in relief as part of the 6-1 loss.

When asked about the collective mindset of his players on how they can immediately forget about their bad fortune in Game 3 to ready themselves for the all-important next game, Knoblauch said that has to start immediately after the previous loss.

I think it starts immediately after the game. The Players are looking for answers for why things happened and why they did, and what adjustments we can make.

If Skinner is replaced by Pickard for Game 4, it would mean the Oilers currently feel that Pickard would give them the better chance to return home tied at 2-2 rather than in a 3-1 hole.

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

More must-reads: