Two fresh faces in the Edmonton Oilers lineup for Game 4, but one notable name remains absent
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Notable lineup changes and non-changes, for the Edmonton Oilers ahead of Game Four tonight…
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Kris Knoblauch had already signaled that Connor Brown would not play tonight. All appearances lent belief that Viktor Arvidsson would draw back into the lineup for the first time since early in the Vegas series, and the coach confirmed that fact in his pre-game availability. Knoblauch: 'I expect him to pick up where he (Arvidsson) left off. That line, Podkolzin, himself and Janmark really played well. And I think four really important goals in a six game span. I just think with his game he adds speed and at this time of year physicality'.
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Mattias Ekholm will not play tonight. So, the debate over who may have to come out for him or whether Kris Knoblauch would go 11-7 proves academic.
Calvin Pickard will indeed return to the dressing room and back up Stuart skinner tonight. So, a memorable but uneventful time for third-stringer Olivier Rodrigue comes to an end…at least for now. Who knows!
More to come…
Now on Bluesky @kurtleavins.bsky.social. Also, find me on Threads @kleavins, Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@mstdn.social. This article is not AI generated.
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National Post
3 hours ago
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Connor Brown returning to active duty for Edmonton Oilers in Cup final
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The Province
3 hours ago
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Selecting Vasily Podkolzin 10th overall at the 2019 NHL Draft instead of Matt Boldy was a big Canucks miss Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Edmonton Oilers right wing Vasily Podkolzin (92) moves the puck past Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) during Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in Dallas. Photo by LM Otero / AP Vasily Podkolzin is in the Stanley Cup Final. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors It's a testament to second-chance tenacity for the affable winger, who initially teased of potential with the Vancouver Canucks, but struggled to find consistency in decision-making and finish. He beat himself up mentally and was demoted to Abbotsford of the AHL, where he rebuilt his game and confidence. Somebody obviously noticed. One school of thought is did the Canucks give up on the winger too fast by trading him to the Edmonton Oilers last August for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft? The answer is no. They got what they could for Podkolzin, who had two assists in 19 games last season and 15 goals in 44 AHL outings, which seldom equates to NHL success. And Podkolzin wouldn't have been waver-exempt this season on a club that added wingers. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Third-line menace Kiefer Sherwood led the NHL in hits the season with 462 and had a career-high 19 goals on a bargain US$1.5 million salary cap hit. He is 30 but is everything the Canucks need in that lineup position to push, lead by example, and also be a key penalty-kill component. Podkolzin has become a serviceable third-liner for the Oilers, but that's not the career projection for any 10th overall pick. He did manage eight goals and 16 assists this season in 82 games, and has had effective playoff playmaking moments, but where does he project? 'He's hard on the forecheck, he's able to make a nice pass on the breakout and goes to the net when it's in the offensive zone,' said encouraged Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Podkolzin had three head coaches in Vancouver — Travis Green, Bruce Boudreau, Rick Tocchet — and systems varied as much as expectations. Green and Tocchet were tough, Boudreau was encouraging. Maybe it's why departed bench boss Tocchet called Podkolzin a bull and a moose. He wasn't quite sure what he had. 'If he plays predictable hockey, he'll be good,' said Tocchet. 'If he knows exactly where the puck is going, that's where the moose comes in. If he's waiting to go, he's standing around. And he'll be late everywhere. He needs to be aggressive and not read the play after it happens.' Former Canucks right-winger Vasily Podkolzin keeps his eye on puck against the Stars in Dallas on March 25, 2023. 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Edmonton Journal
3 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Canucks: Trading Vasily Podkolzin wasn't bad. Not drafting Matt Boldy wasn't good
Article content One school of thought is did the Canucks give up on the winger too fast by trading him to the Edmonton Oilers last August for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft? The answer is no. They got what they could for Podkolzin, who had two assists in 19 games last season and 15 goals in 44 AHL outings, which seldom equates to NHL success. And Podkolzin wouldn't have been waver-exempt this season on a club that added wingers. Third-line menace Kiefer Sherwood led the NHL in hits the season with 462 and had a career-high 19 goals on a bargain US$1.5 million salary cap hit. He is 30 but is everything the Canucks need in that lineup position to push, lead by example, and also be a key penalty-kill component. Podkolzin has become a serviceable third-liner for the Oilers, but that's not the career projection for any 10th overall pick. He did manage eight goals and 16 assists this season in 82 games, and has had effective playoff playmaking moments, but where does he project?
