Oilers’ fans aren’t sure how to react to lineup changes for Game 1

After the morning skate on Wednesday ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, the Edmonton Oilers are facing the possibility of having to make changes to their lineup.

That’s because Connor Brown will take warmup and be a game-time decision after Jeff Skinner was seen taking a long morning skate with the scratches.

While everyone loves Brown, who will also read the opening lineup card before Game 1as the Oilers keep the same lineup card reader after a win, there is a sense that Skinner too deserves to be in the lineup.

Skinner played in Edmonton’s first playoff game of this postseason after fifiteen long years without a chance at playoff hockey. He was scratching after that one contest against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round until Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. And he scored in that 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars that clinched Edmonton’s spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

However, a healthy Brown, who was out with a suspected concussion, means that Skinner is once again out of the lineup, which is hard for fans in Edmonton that love to see the veteran forward’s passion in the postseason.

This is the protected lineup for the Oilers in Game 1 vs. Florida tonight:

RNH - McDavid - Perry
Kane - Draisaitl - Kapanen
Frederic - Henrique - Brown
Podkolzin - Janmark - Arvidsson

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Kulak
Walman - Klingberg

Skinner