Edmonton Oilers Face Off Against Florida Panthers in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final
The Edmonton Oilers are set to take on the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, with the series currently tied at 2-2. According to a report from the NHL, the Oilers will be making one change to their lineup, with Viktor Arvidsson replacing Kasperi Kapanen on the wing.
The news was confirmed by Oilers coach, Knoblauch, who stated that the change was made to give the team a fresher set of legs after having only one day between Games 4 and 5 to make the long trip back to Edmonton from Sunrise. Troy Stecher will remain in the lineup as Edmonton’s sixth defenceman, over John Klingberg.
Arvidsson will skate on a line with Evander Kane and Mattias Janmark, and has been producing points in recent games. As reported by the NHL, Arvidsson had produced points in three straight games before Game 3 of the Final, bringing his playoff total up to two goals and five assists in 14 games this postseason.
The Oilers will be counting on the experience of goaltender, Pickard, who is set to start in Game 5. According to Evander Kane, Pickard is a "really popular guy in the room," with a great sense of humour who keeps things light. Kane added that Pickard’s experience and veteran presence have been invaluable to the team, helping them to get to where they are today.
As quoted in the NHL article, McDavid praised Pickard, saying: "He’s someone who’s just kind of stuck with it all the way and he’s been a true pro and a great person. I think good people get rewarded, and he’s a good person and works as hard as I’ve ever seen a guy work, so he couldn’t be more deserving of the role and the opportunity he’s got."
Coach Knoblauch also spoke about Arvidsson, stating: "Viktor was pulled out and wasn’t in the lineup, but was that fair? We talked about how things are fair and not fair. But the privilege I have is having a lot of good hockey players and not being able to put them in the lineup. Here we have a fresh guy who didn’t play the previous game. Our team has travelled, and we feel that Viktor’s in a position to help us."
The NHL reports that throughout the playoffs, Arvidsson has played really well, and although circumstances led to him being pulled out of the lineup, the team feels that he will give them a good game tonight. With the series tied and the Oilers looking to take the lead, Game 5 promises to be an exciting encounter.
The Oilers’ players and coaches are clearly grateful for Pickard’s presence in the team, and with Arvidsson set to bring a fresh perspective to the lineup, the team will be hoping to secure a crucial win in Game 5. As reported by the NHL, the team’s steady approach and veteran presence will undoubtedly be key factors in their success.
The information for this article was sourced from the NHL: Projected lineup: Pickard getting the start in Game 5 against the Panthers.
