During the Edmonton Oilers' practice in Coachella Valley, Corey Perry was spotted wearing a white top-six jersey, indicating a potential change in the lineup. The Oilers' practice lines included Perry playing alongside Kane and Draisaitl. Additionally, the team's defensive pairings were shuffled, with multiple rotations observed early in the practice. The final defensive pairings deployed in a set battle drill were Nurse with Desharnais, Ekholm with Ceci, and Kulak with Bouchard. Coach Kris Knoblauch commented on the new defensive pairings, stating that it was something they wanted to look at and that it had not been decided if these changes would be implemented in the upcoming game against Anaheim at 8 MT. In the game against Anaheim, Calvin Pickard started as goaltender, continuing his personal four-game win streak with a 2.17 GAA, .922 SV%, and 1 SO. The Oilers showcased two possible deployments of defensemen. Perry made his return to Anaheim for the first time as a member of the Oilers, marking his sixth game against his former team. The Oilers' lines and pairings during the game reflected the changes seen in practice, with Perry playing in the top six and the defensive rotations as observed. The Oilers had a strong performance, with Kane scoring three points and McDavid and Draisaitl also contributing to the scoreline. The team has shown impressive form, with a record of 17 wins, 1 loss in the last 18 games, and 25 wins in their last 29 games, including victories over the Ducks with a combined score of 15-4.
The @EdmontonOilers got a very good start from Calvin Pickard…24 saves. Kane 3-0-3/+4 McDavid 0-3-3/+2 Draisaitl 1-1-2/+2 EDM now 17-1-0 last 18 GP and 25-4-0 in their last 29 GP
Appears halfway through this one, Knoblauch is going: Ekholm - Bouchard Nurse - Desharnais Kulak - Ceci #Oilers
Oilers lines and pairings at ANA: RNH-McDavid-Hyman Kane-Draisaitl-Perry Holloway-McLeod-Foegele Janmark-Ryan-Brown Nurse-Desharnais Ekholm-Ceci Kulak-Bouchard Pickard Skinner
How the Oilers are rolling in warm up — tonight’s lineup vs. ANA: RNH - McDavid - Hyman Kane - Draisaitl - Perry Holloway - McLeod - Foegele Janmark - Ryan - Brown Nurse - Desharnais Ekholm - Ceci Kulak - Bouchard Pickard #Oilers https://t.co/dMM3BFE5VI
Pre-Game: EDM v. ANA • Perry returns to Anaheim for the first time as a member of the Oilers (sixth time playing vs. ANA in his career) • Perry elevated into the top six • Two possible deployments of D-Men • Calvin Pickard starts Pre-Game Report: https://t.co/Wtj9jFuphc
Oilers notes from Kris Knoblauch for tonight’s game at ANA: - Pickard starts - Perry up with Draisaitl and Kane - Undecided about the D pairs
Kris Knoblauch says the team isn’t set on D-Pairings vs. ANA tonight. #Oilers The two different deployments we could see: Option 1: Nurse - Ceci Ekholm - Bouchard Kulak - Desharnais Option 2: Nurse - Desharnais Ekholm - Ceci Kulak - Bouchard Quote from yesterday’s practice: https://t.co/qBLe5Bd2u2
Calvin Pickard starts tonight in Anaheim. Has a personal four-game win streak as Oilers look to get back in the win column. Last six starts for Pickard: 5-1-0 2.17 GAA .922 SV% 1 SO #Oilers https://t.co/CBcpDgKucJ
Re: new D-pairings in practice: Knoblauch says, “it’s something we wanted to look at. Today was just a practice. It hasn’t been decided if we’re doing that on Friday.” #Oilers https://t.co/pWtC6rkWgr
New D-pairings: Nurse-Desharnais Kulak-Bouchard Ekholm-Ceci @LouDeBrusk & @GenePrincipe join me on @Sportsnet Friday at 8 MT—Oil have won eight of last nine w/Ducks, including the two meetings this year by a combined 15-4. https://t.co/WsgM63oCGk
The D-Pairings seemed to have changed at practice. Nurse - Desharnais Ekholm - Ceci Kulak - Bouchard Saw multiple rotations early in the skate but in a set battle drill, these are the pairings being deployed. #Oilers https://t.co/CJhAj8KZlA
Corey Perry up with Kane/Draisaitl at today’s practice, with Foegele moving alongside Holloway/McLeod. https://t.co/BcavPLROUS
Oilers practice in Coachella Valley: RNH - McDavid - Hyman Kane - Draisaitl - Perry Holloway - McLeod - Foegele Janmark - Ryan - Brown Gagner Nurse - Ceci Ekholm - Bouchard Desharnais - Kulak Pickard Skinner #Oilers
Corey Perry is wearing a White top-six jersey. Will see where he slots once they begin line rushes at practice. #Oilers