If you were looking for good news ahead of Wednesday’s Western Conference Final kickoff, the Edmonton Oilers’ morning skate ahead of Game 1 against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final likely didn’t provide what you were looking for. Instead, Connor Brown was once again missing from the morning skate, and head coach Kris Knoblauch dropped the post-practice news that No. 28 will be a game-time decision. Not ideal, my friends.
Brown has been a key player in the Oilers’ run to this point, racking up four goals and three assists for seven points in 11 games, while sporting a +3 rating through roughly 16-17 minutes per night. Whether Brown is burying chances, killing penalties, or grinding on the forecheck, the guy has been a spark plug through the first 11 games, and the thought of him sitting out is a kick to the shin that none of us needed right now.
Stepping into Brown’s spot at practice was Viktor Arvidsson, who would likely fill in if Brown can’t go by 6 PM MT. Arvidsson’s played a lot of playoff hockey in his career, but the nine games he’s played during this postseason have been quieter—one goal, three assists, and a +2 rating while averaging about 10 minutes a night, resulting in a healthy scratch for the final two games against Vegas. Arvidsson has wheels, smarts, and a great shot, but swapping Brown for Arvidsson is a shift that’ll test the Oilers’ depth. Still, this team’s been adapting all playoff long, so why not have another hurdle thrown in the mix we need to clear?
On the bright side, Mattias Ekholm was out there practicing with the main group, joining the group on the road as he nears his return to the lineup. But before we get too excited, we’ve already been told that our Viking King won’t suiting up for Games 1 or 2. Having Ekholm back on the ice, even just for practice, is a dose of hope for a blue line that’s playing well but ultimately missing its best piece. If Ekholm can get back up to speed, having his poise and defensive acumen on the blue line could be a significant boost to Edmonton’s back end.
As the Oilers gear up to face a Dallas Stars squad that’s sure to want revenge after falling in the WCF a year ago, all eyes are on Brown’s status as we wait to see if he’ll play or not. As always, Knoblauch’s downplaying the issues, and only time will tell if we see any adjustments from the team that shut Vegas out in Games 4 and 5. This Western Conference Final rematch is shaping up to be a beauty, and whether it’s Brown or Arvidsson in the lineup, we’ll need the Oilers to bring their A-game. Thank the Gords for depth, right?
