FORT LAUDERDALE — Kris Knoblauch has some decisions to make.
The Oilers head coach said his team will "likely" make at least one change to its lineup for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final with Edmonton trailing the Florida Panthers 2-1 in the best-of-seven title series.
"We haven't discussed that with our players yet," Knoblauch said on a video conference call with reporters Wednesday morning. "But there are some things we've been thinking about."
One potential switch for Edmonton, which is coming off an undisciplined 6-1 defeat Monday, could see defenceman Troy Stecher draw in for John Klingberg.
The 31-year-old from Richmond, B.C., has played six playoff contests this spring and had good chemistry when paired with Darnell Nurse. Stecher came out of the lineup when Mattias Ekholm returned from a lower-body injury for Edmonton's victory in Game 5 of the Western Conference final that clinched a Cup rematch with Florida.
"Troy's been very valuable to our team," Knoblauch said. "One thing we as a coaching staff appreciate a lot from Troy is just how dependable he is. Any time we've needed him, he's given us really good minutes."
The second-year bench boss also praised the efforts of Klingberg, who has a goal and three assists across 18 playoff games.
"He's gotten us through a lot of rounds," Knoblauch said. "We wouldn't have gotten through those rounds without the contributions he's made."
Knoblauch again declined to name his starting goaltender for Thursday after Stuart Skinner was pulled in the third period of Game 3.
Skinner, who has an .886 save percentage in the series compared to the .928 mark of Florida opposite Sergei Bobrovsky, has allowed five goals in each of his last two starts after Edmonton's 4-3 victory in the opener.
Calvin Pickard replaced his fellow netminder with the Oilers down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings in the first round. He went on to win six straight starts before suffering a lower-body injury. Skinner then returned to the Oilers' crease and responded with some terrific starts in getting Edmonton past both the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars
"Calvin was playing really well … we've always felt confident in Calvin," Knoblauch said. "Always been a guy who's been able to come in and give us good, quality starts."
Edmonton forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, meanwhile, remains a question mark and is listed as a game-time decision after missing practice both Sunday and Tuesday.
A key contributor to the power play, penalty kill, and alongside Connor McDavid on the top line, the 32-year-old with five goals and 13 assists in these playoffs was also a game-time decision Monday.
Nugent-Hopkins had one shot on target in 15 minutes 34 seconds of action in Game 3 for the Oilers, who are already without heart-and-soul winger Zach Hyman because of a dislocated right wrist that required surgery.
Florida, meanwhile, expects Edmonton will bring a lot more to the table Thursday.
"Usually you get teams' best after (a blowout)," Panthers forward Brad Marchand said. "Especially with the players they have in the room, how competitive they are, they're gonna look to bounce back. When you have that kind of leadership — those top guys — that's a dangerous combination.
"We have to make sure that we bring our best."
UP CLOSE
Marchand played with McDavid for Canada at February's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament — an event the Oilers captain ended in overtime against the United States.
"I've seen his intensity level every day, just the way that he showed up in that tournament," Marchand said. "He leads from the front and it shows in his play. A very gifted and talented player, but incredible leader as well."
LONG ROAD
Florida defenceman Gustav Forsling has found a home with the Panthers. His path to becoming a key contributor for the defending champs was winding.
The 28-year-old was traded twice before getting claimed on waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes in January 2021.
"I tried to just work hard every day," Forsling said. "That's all you can do. But there were moments where you didn't believe that you were gonna make it. I always told myself, 'If you don't believe in yourself, no one else is.' You have to stay mentally strong, for sure, during that period.
"When you get the opportunity, you've got to be ready for it."
Originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks with the 126th pick at the 2014 NHL draft, the six-foot-one, 199-pound Swede has become one of the league's top shutdown blueliners.
"Everyone has a different journey," said Forsling, who signed an eight-year, US$46-million contract extension in March 2024. "Going to be ups and downs … it's all about the journey. Looking back at it, I wouldn't change a thing. It's very cool."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
