The Edmonton Oilers are gearing up to face off against the Boston Bruins at Rogers Place, but there are some uncertainties surrounding the lineup. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who missed the morning skate due to illness, is questionable for the game. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch stated, ‘He’s at home sick right now and questionable for the game. We’ve had this run through [our team] a little bit and other guys have got it, and like I said, it’s questionable whether he’s playing tonight.’
With Nugent-Hopkins’ status up in the air, Warren Foegele stepped in to fill his place on the top line alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. Meanwhile, the second line of Evander Kane, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan McLeod remains intact following their strong performance in the previous game against the Arizona Coyotes.
If Nugent-Hopkins is unable to play, Connor Brown is expected to return to the lineup on the fourth line with Sam Gagner and Derek Ryan after being a healthy scratch in the previous game.
In the goaltending department, Stuart Skinner is set to make his 100th career start against the Bruins. Skinner, an Edmonton native, has secured 61 victories, making him the second-highest in wins by an Oilers goalie in their first 100 starts with the club, following Andy Moog.
The projected lineup for the Oilers against the Bruins is as follows:
- Foegele – McDavid – Hyman
- Kane – Draisaitl – McLeod
- Janmark – Holloway – Perry
- Gagner – Ryan – Brown
- Ekholm – Bouchard
- Nurse – Ceci
- Kulak – Desharnais
- Skinner
- Pickard
As the game approaches, the Oilers are making necessary adjustments to ensure a strong performance against the Bruins, despite the uncertainties surrounding Nugent-Hopkins’ availability.
