Since assuming the reins as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers on November 12, Kris Knoblauch, a rookie, has demonstrated a talent for making the appropriate lineup adjustments as he sees fit. It looks like Knoblauch will alter his starting lineup for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Oilers head coach Knoblauch will wear seven defensemen, with blueliner Vincent Desharnais making a comeback to the starting lineup, according to TSN's hockey insider Darren Dreger. Since May 27th, in Game 3 of Edmonton's third-round series against the Dallas Stars, the 28-year-old Desharnais has not appeared on the field.
With an 18–6 edge in high-danger shot attempts, the Oilers were the superior team in Game 1, but Sergei Bobrovsky stayed tall, blocking all 32 shots he faced.
Coach Knoblauch must determine if there is a necessity, even though there is some danger involved in starting a player who hasn't played in a game in the previous two weeks. In 15 games, Desharnais ranks third in blocks and second in hits among Oilers defensemen.
In Game 2, Edmonton must match that level of determination in their pursuit of getting in front of Bobrovsky and taking away his eyes. The seasoned goalie is playing like Conn Smythe because he wants to go to the championship game again and win the Stanley Cup.
