Edmonton Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch is once again back to tweaking the lineup, this time promoting Jeff Skinner to the third line alongside Adam Henrique (C) and Zach Hyman (RW) during Monday’s practice. This line is likely to play together on Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins at 5:00 PM MT. Meanwhile, the top six forward group and d-core will remain the same as in Sunday’s matchup against the Kraken.
Related: NHL Game Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Boston Bruins with Line Combinations 1/7/2025
Jeff Skinner has been shuffled around the Oilers’ lineup throughout the season, initially spending most of his time on the second line with Drai before dropping to the third and fourth lines. After 38 games, he has recorded seven goals and seven assists, posting a -10 plus/minus rating when on the ice. Recently, however, he has shown a spark in his game, hustling more for pucks and stronger defensive play. His improving confidence has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.
“His work ethic has been what it needs to be. I think he’s been working hard on the defensive details of our game. But the most important thing to any player, whether you’re a goalie, defenseman or forward, and especially a goal scorer, is confidence, and you’re starting to see him enjoying the game, smiling, having fun and feeling better with the puck.”
Knoblauch on what he’s seen from Jeff Skinner lately
Since being a healthy scratch on December 29th against Anaheim, Skinner has scored one goal and provided one assist in the last three games. This is not where many fans expected him to be in the lineup, given that I even anticipated he would be paired with Draisaitl and Arvidsson on the second line in the preseason. Skinner is a proven goal scorer from his time in Buffalo, with a natural talent for finding the net with his natural wrist-shot. Hopefully, he can continue to elevate his play alongside Zach Hyman, who has an excellent ability to score in front of the net as well as being a skilled playmaker his passing.
“You’re trying to make the most of the players you have, and I think as time has gone on, your top-six identity and bottom-six identity has changed. Now, you’ve got power forwards that are on your top six who have that role and play a certain style. There’s a lot of successful teams that have had that.”
Knoblauch on the changes he’s seen in his lineup throughout this season
One unique and somewhat surprising stat about Jeff Skinner is that he has never played a single playoff game in his 1,044-game career, during which he has been a member of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Buffalo Sabres. Getting him back on track will be huge for the depth of this team as they pursue their Stanley Cup aspirations. He could be a player who emerges in the playoffs, similar to how Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown contributed last postseason, ultimately strengthening Edmonton’s forward group. Having more players for opposing teams to contend with can be vital when navigating through the playoffs, especially against deadly opponents looming in the Western Conference.
“There’s a lot of depth and a lot of good players so wherever you’re playing there are going to be guys making plays. As a result I’ve had some good results the last couple of games.”
Jeff Skinner on his recent play after a 4-2 win on Sunday in Seattle
(Projected Lineup vs Boston):
RNH – McDavid – Brown
Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Arvidsson
Skinner – Henrique – Hyman
Perry – Janmark – Kapanen
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Stecher
Kulak – Emberson
Skinner
Pickard
ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again – Inside The Rink
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