The Edmonton Oilers are making some notable adjustments ahead of their <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-game-notes-2-0-edmonton-hosts-chicago-seeking-first-win">matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks</a> on Saturday night, looking to rebound after a tough season opener <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/10/09/instant-reaction-oilers-drop-season-opener-for-second-straight-year-lose-6-0-to-the-jets/">against the Winnipeg Jets</a>. Head coach Kris Knoblauch is changing up his defensive pairings and giving Calvin Pickard his first start of the year between the pipes.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Oilers projected lineup vs. CHI: 
RNH &#8211; McDavid &#8211; Hyman Skinner &#8211; Draisaitl &#8211; Arvidsson Janmark &#8211; Henrique &#8211; Brown Podkolzin &#8211; Ryan &#8211; Perry
Ekholm &#8211; Bouchard Nurse &#8211; Dermott Kulak &#8211; Emberson
Pickard<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oilers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oilers</a>
&mdash; Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyBrarOTV/status/1845140649311633585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Pickard came on in relief of Stuart Skinner during the opener against Winnipeg after Stu gave up five goals on 13 shots, but with a back-to-back weekend on deck, the veteran netminder will get the nod for the start. During the 2023-24 season, Pickard posted a 12-7-1 record with a 2.45 goals-against average (GAA) and a .909 save percentage, earning him a two-year extension in Edmonton. While Skinner had a rough start against the Jets, allowing five goals, Knoblauch will be hoping Pickard can be steady between the pipes and give his teammates the foundation they need to win.
On the blue line, Knoblauch is mixing up the defensive pairings as well. Travis Dermott will start beside Darnell Nurse on the second pairing after being bumped up in the order midway through the opener. Meanwhile, Ty Emberson will move down to the third pairing to play with Brett Kulak, giving the Oilers a fresh look on the backend. These changes indicate a clear attempt to tighten things up defensively after the Oilers surrendered six goals in the first game despite surrendering only 20 shots on goal.
By no means should anyone be panicking about what happened a few days ago, but the Oilers are certainly in need of a bounce-back performance. Even though it&#8217;s very very early, these lineup adjustments signal the coaching staff’s determination to shake things up in the hopes of finding some chemistry. With a few new pieces playing in prominent positions on the back end, Edmonton will need everyone to settle in quickly to avoid going down 0-2 to start their season.
With the Blackhawks in town for the second half of a back-to-back weekend, all eyes will be on Pickard in net and the new defensive pairings to see if these changes can help the Oilers get their first win of the year. And with the game being broadcast in the late slot on Hockey Night in Canada, Edmonton will be in the spotlight as the hockey world will be eager to see if they can erase the disappointment of a <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-1-0-oilers-raise-western-conference-banner-but-dont-have-banner-night">6-0 beatdown in their season opener</a>.

The Edmonton Oilers are making some notable adjustments ahead of their <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-game-notes-2-0-edmonton-hosts-chicago-seeking-first-win">matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks</a> on Saturday night, looking to rebound after a tough season opener <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2024/10/09/instant-reaction-oilers-drop-season-opener-for-second-straight-year-lose-6-0-to-the-jets/">against the Winnipeg Jets</a>. Head coach Kris Knoblauch is changing up his defensive pairings and giving Calvin Pickard his first start of the year between the pipes.

https://twitter.com/TonyBrarOTV/status/1845140649311633585

Pickard came on in relief of Stuart Skinner during the opener against Winnipeg after Stu gave up five goals on 13 shots, but with a back-to-back weekend on deck, the veteran netminder will get the nod for the start. During the 2023-24 season, Pickard posted a 12-7-1 record with a 2.45 goals-against average (GAA) and a .909 save percentage, earning him a two-year extension in Edmonton. While Skinner had a rough start against the Jets, allowing five goals, Knoblauch will be hoping Pickard can be steady between the pipes and give his teammates the foundation they need to win.

On the blue line, Knoblauch is mixing up the defensive pairings as well. Travis Dermott will start beside Darnell Nurse on the second pairing after being bumped up in the order midway through the opener. Meanwhile, Ty Emberson will move down to the third pairing to play with Brett Kulak, giving the Oilers a fresh look on the backend. These changes indicate a clear attempt to tighten things up defensively after the Oilers surrendered six goals in the first game despite surrendering only 20 shots on goal.

By no means should anyone be panicking about what happened a few days ago, but the Oilers are certainly in need of a bounce-back performance. Even though it's very very early, these lineup adjustments signal the coaching staff’s determination to shake things up in the hopes of finding some chemistry. With a few new pieces playing in prominent positions on the back end, Edmonton will need everyone to settle in quickly to avoid going down 0-2 to start their season.

With the Blackhawks in town for the second half of a back-to-back weekend, all eyes will be on Pickard in net and the new defensive pairings to see if these changes can help the Oilers get their first win of the year. And with the game being broadcast in the late slot on Hockey Night in Canada, Edmonton will be in the spotlight as the hockey world will be eager to see if they can erase the disappointment of a <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-day-after-1-0-oilers-raise-western-conference-banner-but-dont-have-banner-night">6-0 beatdown in their season opener</a>.

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