You could argue that the convergence of line-up issues played a part in Edmonton\u2019s 2-1 loss to New Jersey. Only one line had real chemistry, when Knoblauch re-united McDavid, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the third period. But we saw very little of Podkolzin with McDavid and Hyman in this particular game due to Podz\u2019s 17 minute penalty.<\/p>\n
2. In this latest jumble of forward lines, Podkolzin has been bumped down to play with Trent Frederic at centre and Regula on the wing, at least for line rushes.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not ideal, especially after Podkolzin bravely took on a fight for McDavid, a move that sent Oilers fans and commentators into a fit of exultation and jubilation. Edmonton fans love few things more than a teammate standing up for Connor McDavid<\/a>. As Oilers Now host put it last night, \u201cLOVED the response from Vasily Podkolzin on the hit on McDavid\u2026and I am guessing so did you!\u201d<\/p>\n 3. This isn\u2019t the first time that Knoblauch has upset the apple cart of the Oilers line-up by demoting a player after he\u2019s done well. The coach healthy scratched both Noah Philp and Curtis Lazar after both of them had had big games, which brought on widespread criticism of the coach\u2019s handling of both players.<\/p>\n This circumstance is a bit different, but it\u2019s still not apparent why Podkolzin would seemingly be on the fourth line here. Perhaps the lines will change before game time, something that has also been known to happen as Knoblauch fine tunes his line-up.<\/p>\n 4. To be fair, Knoblauch may well see Podkolzin and Frederic as the core of his second line here, with a plan to play them with McDavid, Jack Roslovic, Zach Hyman or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in a regular shift.<\/p>\n But however you slice it, it\u2019s a bit of a jumble. It\u2019s not ideal. The Oilers could solve it by waiving either Regula or Pickard and then recalling a forward from the AHL in the empty roster spot, but Edmonton evidently doesn\u2019t want to risk such a move.<\/p>\n
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