The Edmonton Oilers are loading up the top line Tuesday night as they finish off a five-game road trip with a visit to the Ottawa Senators.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will skate on the top line with Vasily Podkolzin, the team revealed during their morning skate. It’s not the only notable piece of news, as Jake Walman is set to make his season debut.

Injured in the pre-season, Walman missed the first six games of the regular season, but was activated from the injured reserve Monday. He’ll skate on the second pair alongside Darnell Nurse, replacing Troy Stecher, as the other two pairings remain the same.

The rest of the forward group will see Ryan Nugent-Hopkins centre Andrew Mangiapane and Jack Roslovic on the second line, as Noah Philp will be flanked on the third line alongside Trent Frederic and Matt Savoie. Adam Henrique, playing in his 1000th NHL game, will centre the fourth line alongside Isaac Howard and David Tomasek.

The lineup changes come adjacent to Kasperi Kapanen exiting the Oilers lineup. He was injured in early in the second period of Sunday’s game against the Red Wings, seen limping and with a brace on his left knee, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman. 

Stuart Skinner, meanwhile, is slated to get the start. He’s posted a 5-1 record against the Senators in six games played, posting a .903 save percentage and a 2.85 goals against average.

On the other side of the rink, the Senators continue to be without captain Brady Tkachuk as he works his way back from surgery to repair his right thumb. They’re expected to roll with a new look top line with Dylan Cozens centring the top line alongside Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson on his wings.

The Senators will be turning to Linus Ullmark in the crease tonight as he makes his sixth start of the season. He’s appeared in nine games against the Oilers in his career, posting a .888 save percentage and a 3.28 goals against average.

Puck drop between the Oilers and Senators is set for 5:00 pm.

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.