Edmonton Oilers make lineup changes for Game 4 against Dallas Stars

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The Edmonton Oilers are shaking things up.

But head coach Chris Knobloch is keeping quiet about what moves the team is planning.

“You’ll have to wait a little longer,” he said with a smile Wednesday morning. “It’s a big showcase.”

The rookie bench boss is set to make some roster changes for Game 4 of the NHL’s Western Conference finals, with Edmonton trailing the Dallas Stars 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

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Knobloch didn’t provide any further details, but it appears defenseman Philip Broberg will make his playoff debut.

Veteran forward Corey Perry and centre Ryan McLeod will also be expected to play catch-up after the Oilers suffered consecutive losses for the first time this postseason.

Edmonton defenceman Vincent Desharnais, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Thursday and struck the goalpost with the score tied in the third period of Game 3 on Monday, stayed late after the Oilers’ morning practice along with forwards Warren Vogel and Sam Carrick, meaning all three are likely out.

Broberg, 22, recorded two assists in 12 regular season games with the Oilers between an extended stint with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League in 2023-24.

Broberg, the eighth overall pick in the 2019 draft, finished the minor league schedule with five goals and 38 points in 49 games.

The Swede was mostly just an outside observer with the Oilers before being demoted to the AHL in November to hone his skills.

“[Broberg]is enjoying this season to the fullest,” Knobloch said. “It’s a tough situation to be in. We feel like we have guys who can play in the NHL, but we have six defencemen and we’ve been very fortunate that we’ve had very few injuries this year.”

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“We got a young defenseman that we believe has great potential, and he’s got to play, so if we have a sixth guy, it’s not an advantage for him to be here as a seventh. He went to Bakersfield and did great there.”

Broberg returned to the Oilers at the end of the regular season, picking up an assist in two straight games, and also made two appearances in the AHL playoffs in late April, which turned out to be his final official appearances.

The Swede appeared in nine playoff games with Edmonton last spring and one game in the 2021-22 season.

Broberg, who has two goals and 13 points in 91 games with the Oilers, said the confidence he developed in Bakersfield and past playoff experience should help him if given the opportunity to play.

“If they need me, I’m available,” he said, “I’m just ready for the opportunity.”

Perry, meanwhile, is expected to return to action after missing the last five games for health reasons. The 39-year-old Perry is a former Hart Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion who has never scored a point in the playoffs.

McCloud, 24, sat out Game 3 after failing to score in 14 postseason games this spring.

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The series shifts to Dallas for Game 5 on Friday, with Game 6 returning to Edmonton on Sunday, if necessary.

Broberg’s addition should add some speed to the Oilers’ defense, as the Stars’ offense often had forwards rushing into the defensive zone early, making the Oilers’ defense feel cramped at times.

“He’s going to be a big part of this team going into the future, next season,” Knobloch said of the blue lineman. “Right now we have a tough decision to make: Do we bring in a young guy who hasn’t played a game yet?”

“But we know that if he gets the opportunity, he’s good enough and can contribute something to the team.”

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