With only one game remaining for the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025–26 regular season, it is time to set our eyes upon the playoffs. What could the lineup look like for the start of Game 1? While the team is dealing with a couple of injuries at this time, they are hopeful to have all of their key players in the lineup for the start of round one. Notable players who could return from injury in time for game one are Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman.
Draisaitl said he isn’t sure yet about game one of the playoffs yet. Said it may be a few games in. Has been skating regularly the last week or so, but it’s the type of issue you have to also think long term about.
-Ryan Rishaug
Knoblauch says Hyman won’t be in tonight. He may play Thursday. Draisaitl expected sometime in round one. Jones is out 3–4 weeks. Dickinson timeline is up in the air, won’t play either of the next two games and will be evaluated at that time.
– Ryan Rishaug
TSN Journalist Ryan Rishaug had some important information to share regarding the Injured Oilers. Hyman is expected to be back in time for Game 1, and Edmonton will definitely need his net-front presence to be successful in the postseason. Draisaitl, on the other hand, may sit out a few more games to ensure that he is as ready as possible for the playoffs. The priority goal for the Oilers right now is to not rush Draisaitl or Hyman back into action.
Lineup for Game 1
Based on the injury reports and the status of the Oilers players, I am going to be looking at what the starting lines could look like for Edmonton’s next run into postseason action.
The top line is expected to stay the same, with no changes, but as for the rest of the lines, here is a mockup of what I think they will look like.
Vasily Podkolzin – Connor McDavid – Matthew Savoie
Leon Draisaitl* – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Zach Hyman*
Colton Dach – Josh Samanski – Jack Roslovic
Curtis Lazar – Adam Henrique – Kasperi Kapanen
Trent Frederic
Mattias Ekholm – Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse – Connor Murphy
Jake Walman – Ty Emberson
Connor Ingram
Backup: Tristan Jarry
Scratches: Mattias Janmark, Jason Dickinson, Max Jones, Issac Howard
If any changes are made to the projected lineup regarding Hyman and Draisaitl, Issac Howard will probably take the place of Draisaitl on the second line. Jack Roslovic will take the place of Hyman on the second line as well. Trent Frederic would then move up to the third line with Colton Dach and Josh Samanski in place of Roslovic.
Why are these lines the best choice for round one?
When I look at the setup of this roster for the postseason, I believe that it is the best choice because of the success that we have already seen, the depth of each line, and the players represented. In terms of the new top line with Vasily Podkolzin, Connor McDavid, and Matthew Savoie, it has emerged as a major force, showing high chemistry in lateseason action. This new combination has also been effective, recently averaging 3.96 goals per 60 minutes with a 60 percent goal share.
The depth of this lineup definitely shows. The Oilers have the option to run Draisaitl on the second line and Nugent-Hopkins on the third, instead of putting the two of them together. In this regard, it spreads out their depth across the entire lineup.
Kris Knoblauch and the coaching staff may choose to change up the way that the lines look so that it best fits what they are looking for, but like I have heard many times, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
It is hard to say if this is truly the best choice that the Oilers can run for game one of the playoffs. In reality, only time will tell if we see some similarities based on what I had listed above. If you think that Edmonton’s starting lineup should look a little bit different or change, let me know what you would change in the comments.
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Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
