PRE-GAME REPORT: Oilers vs. Jets

The Oilers go to Winnipeg on Wednesday for a preseason tilt against the Jets.

On Wednesday night, the Oilers will travel to Winnipeg to play the Jets in a preseason game at Canada Life Centre.

You can watch the game live on Oilers+ at 6:00 p.m. MT or listen on the Oilers Radio Network, which includes 630CHED.

Subscribe to Oilers+ to access the Pre-Game Show, which starts 30 minutes before puck drop and includes exclusive live and behind-the-scenes footage.

PRE-GAME REPORT: Oilers vs. Jets

Edmonton, AB – The Oilers will continue to examine the guys that remain in Training Camp for the few remaining roster places as they travel to Winnipeg on Wednesday night for a pre-season clash with the Jets at Canada Life Centre. Oilers+ will stream the game live at 6:00 p.m. MT.

Head Coach Kris Knoblauch and his coaching staff have begun assembling their lines and defence pairings into their expected combinations for the start of the regular season after splitting the on-ice sessions into two groups on Tuesday—one filled primarily with NHL regulars and the other with players competing to fill holes in the bottom six and right side of defence.

The fourth line remains one of the few battlegrounds left at Camp where spots could still be up for grabs, as the lines during Tuesday’s main session appeared to match what the Oilers would expect when they begin their 2024-25 season on 9 Oct. at Rogers Place against the same Jets.

Coach Knoblauch stated that he does not expect many of Edmonton’s top-nine forward lines from Tuesday’s main group to compete in Winnipeg, as auditions for role players in the bottom six continue, with 53 players (six goalies, 17 defensemen, and 30 forwards) left at camp.

“We have an idea of what they are and what type of player they are, and we want guys to fill certain roles,” Knoblauch pointed out. “We’re searching for our finest hockey players, but there’s also an aspect of role-playing – whether we need physicality, speed, or individuals who can kill penalties or participate on the power play.

“We’re probably not searching for power-play players. I believe we’ve all had enough of those. For guys trying out for our team, we’re seeking for some penalty-killing experience because we lost several last year. I believe that’s what we’re looking for.

Forwards Viktor Arvidsson, Connor Brown, and Mattias Janmark did not participate in this morning’s skate at Rogers Place, thus we anticipate they will be in the lineup tonight. Goaltender Stuart Skinner did not participate as much, but he appears to be on track to make his first preseason appearance in 2024-25.

Forward Raphael Lavoie has impressed so far this preseason, with a goal and 11 total shots in two games against Winnipeg and Calgary (split-squad), but the Chambly, QC native will not play today after leaving practice on Tuesday with a lower-body injury. Knoblauch stated that Lavoie will relax and hope to return to the ice on Friday to continue his great camp.

“I just received the update as I was leaving the ice. It doesn’t look like he’ll play tomorrow.”