Edmonton Oilers rookie head coach Kris Knoblauch has had a kack for making the right lineup changes when he feels it's needed, since taking over the coaching duties on November 12. It appears like Knoblauch will be making some lineup changes ahead of Game 2, of the Stanley Cup Final.
Per TSN's hockey insider Darren Dreger, Oilers head coach Knoblauch will be dressing seven defenceman with blueliner Vincent Desharnais returning to the lineup. The 28 year old, Desharnais hasn't played since Game 3 of Edmonton's third round series against the Dallas Stars on May 27th.
The Oilers were the more dangerous team in Game 1, with a 18-6 advantage in high-danger shot attempts but it was veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky who stood tall, stopping all 32 shots he faced, to shut out the OIlers 3-0.
While there is some risk inserting a player who hasn't seen game action in two weeks into the lineup, but coach Knoblauch must see a need for it. Desharnais is second in hits (39) and third in blocks (38) when comparing the Oilers defenceman, despite only playing in 15 games.