A notable lineup change for the Edmonton Oilers ahead of an important game on home ice.
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, head coach Kris Knoblauch revealed that forward Connor Brown will not play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. Forward Viktor Arvidsson will be taking his place in the lineup.
Brown was forced to exit the third game of the semifinal series after taking a hard hit from Stars defenceman Alex Petrovic late in the second period. Edmonton was able to run away with a 6-1 victory despite losing one of their key depth players.
Arvidsson is projected to be on Edmonton’s third line with Evander Kane and Adam Henrique.
With one of their top penaltykillers out, Knoblauch and the Oilers know that Arvidsson adds an element that could make a difference in Game 4.
“I expect him to pick up right where he left off,” Knoblauch said. “He adds speed. This time of year, physicality, he’s not afraid of getting involved in the play. He is smaller, but he definitely his feisty. Along with his attributes…Something that he really adds to our team is speed and, I think, last game, we could’ve used a little more of that.”
Arvidsson has been out of the lineup since the third game of the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights. In nine appearances in this postseason so far, the Swedish winger has a goal and three assists for four points. During the regular season, Arvidsson potted 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points in 67 games.
In addition, goaltender Calvin Pickard will dress for the game on Tuesday night. The veteran netminder has been out of action since getting hurt in Game 2 against the Golden Knights. Since then, Stuart Skinner has played fairly well, going 4-2 over the past six games, including three shutouts.
The Oilers dropped the first game of the West Final, blowing a 3-1 lead in the third period. However, they have recovered nicely since, riding a Skinner shutout in Game 2 before putting the hurt on Dallas on Sunday afternoon.
Puck drop for Game 4 from Edmonton is scheduled for a little after 6 p.m. MT.