Oilers’ 3 Burning Questions Before Game 5 vs Kings

Game 4 of the series between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings did not start the way the Oilers had hoped. They came out flat and fell behind 3-0 early. However, in the second period, some players were benched and there was a goaltending change that sparked the three-goal comeback that allowed the Oilers to tie the series at 2-2, heading back to Edmonton.

The series is far from over, as the Kings have shown they can bounce back and are a stronger team than they were last season. After a solid come-back win, what will change or remain the same for Game 5 to keep the Oilers’ momentum rolling?

Do the Oilers Go Back to 12-6?

The first burning question is how the Oilers will build their lineup for Game 5. They started the series with 12 forwards and six defencemen, but then Mattias Janmark got injured and won’t return for the rest of the first round. The Oilers then switched it up and instead of dressing Devin Shore, they decided to dress Philip Broberg and go with 11 forwards and seven defence, which they had done for most of the season.

This is worth mentioning because Vincent Desharnais didn’t look good in Game 4 and sat on the bench for the second half of the game. It’s a waste to have someone sitting on the bench, meaning the Oilers could switch it up and dress someone who will play, and it would not surprise me if Desharnais is scratched for Game 5.

So, who takes his spot? My best guess is the Oilers will use 12 forwards and six defensemen. After Desharnais was planted on the bench, Broberg played a lot more and was up to the challenge. He has taken some major strides this season and is fully capable of handling ice time as the sixth d-man. In this case, Dylan Holloway, who was recently recalled from the Bakersfield Condors, should come in. He played well on his return from injury and has already spent time with the Oilers this season. He plays hard and physically and could complement the fourth line well.

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The problem with going back to six defencemen is that Darnell Nurse played better with a little less ice time and responsibility. Even though Mattias Ekholm has helped to an extent, the Oilers can’t afford to sit Nurse. Either way, the Oilers’ highest-paid defenceman has to bounce back, whether the team dresses six or seven defenders (from “Can the Oilers’ Darnell Nurse rebound…