Forward Jeff Skinner and defenseman Troy Stecher will draw back into the lineup for the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla.
Per head coach Kris Knoblauch, Skinner will replace Viktor Arvidsson and Stecher will draw in for John Klingberg as the Oilers bid to even their best-of-seven series at two wins apiece.
Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins skated on Thursday morning and will be a game-time decision. Nugent-Hopkins, who is nursing an undisclosed injury, logged 15:34 of ice time in the Oilers’ 6-1 setback in Game 3 on Monday.
Skinner, 33, has been idle since scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on May 29. He also has an assist in two playoff games this spring.
Stecher, 31, has recorded a plus-3 rating while averaging 15:56 of ice time in six postseason games.
“Troy’s been very valuable to our team through the regular season and playoffs,” Knoblauch said Wednesday. “I think probably one thing we as a coaching staff appreciate a lot from Troy is how dependable he is. No matter if he’s playing big minutes, regularly, hasn’t played for a long period of time, anytime we’ve needed him, he’s given us really good minutes and usually is not making mistakes. As a defenseman, that’s really important.”
Klingberg committed a turnover in overtime of Game 2 that nearly led to a game-ending goal. He also had a turnover that led to Sam Reinhart’s goal in the second period of Game 3.
–Field Level Media
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