Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch stated that there is one probable alteration in the Edmonton Oilers lineup, which will be decided after the pre-game warmup. Tom Gazzola, an NHL network correspondent, said the following: “In terms of the potential lineup change Kris Knoblach mentioned this morning, Sam Carrick and Vinny Desharnais were on the ice rather late during the optional morning skate. This indicates that they would be gone. Derek Ryan exited the skating rink while wearing street clothing.If a guy leaves the rink early during an optional morning skate, it usually signifies he’s playing.
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According to writer Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News, Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer is looking to boost his lineup by adding top attacking prospect Mavrik Bourque. “Big news out of Pete DeBoer’s press conference this morning, as AHL MVP and scoring champion Mavrik Bourque will finally get his opportunity in a Stars playoff game.” Bourque will replace Ty Dellandrea in the lineup.
Sean Shapiro, a Dallas hockey journalist, wrote about Bourque: “Mavrik Bourque is in tonight. He’s in that position because he believed in himself and saw that he needed to improve. That is how I got the American Hockey League MVP.” According to Assimakopoulos, “DeBoer has consistently rotated his fourth-line forwards, with Radek Faksa, Craig Smith, and Dellandrea all coming in and out of the lineup in the playoffs.” However, none of those three are known for their scoring ability in the same manner that Bourque is, providing him an advantage in Game 6.
My take: 1. Mavrik Bourque was the American Hockey League’s best scorer this season, a remarkable feat for the 22-year-old. Bourque was selected 30th overall in the 2020 draft, while the Oilers took Dylan Holloway 14th overall that same season. According to NHL draft experts, Holloway was the consensus 17th overall choice, with Bourque coming in 20th.
2. Perhaps DeBoer is copying Kris Knoblauch’s strategy here. Knoblauch went with inexperienced defenseman Philip Broberg in Games 4 and 5, replacing Vincent Desharnais, who was struggling to move the puck against a powerful Dallas forecheck. So far, Broberg has done an excellent job of going back quickly to grab dump-ins before skating or passing the puck out of the Edmonton end.
3. Bourque was ranked 28th on TSN talent analyst Craig Button’s list of the Top 50 prospects outside of the NHL. Logan Stankhoven, another Dallas prospect who has now made the team and is playing a significant role for the Stars, was ranked 22nd. Button’s list did not include a single Oilers prospect.
